System, method, and computer program product for comparing decision options

ABSTRACT

A method for comparing decision options includes storing a set of decision options. The method includes determining for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. The method includes receiving a plurality of user preference indicators, each indicator corresponding to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. The method includes ranking the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator. The method includes providing the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. The method includes reranking the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator and providing the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/632,277, filed Oct. 1, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/683,758, filed Jan. 7, 2010, which is a continuation of both U.S. application Ser. No. 12/081,353, filed Apr. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,051,023, and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/081,352, filed Apr. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,065,261, which claim the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/935,650, filed on Aug. 23, 2007. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Internet searching is a popular way for internet users to collect information about products that they are considering for purchase. Popular web search engines, such as GOOGLE®, YAHOO! ® and LIVE SEARCH® (formerly MSN SEARCH®), rely on user-inputted, keyword-based search queries in order to provide links to relevant web pages and web documents arranged in relevancy-ranked lists. Accordingly, users can input search queries in an effort to find web pages and web documents that focus on the category of products or specific products they wish to learn about.

Search engines provide users with the ability to educate themselves about the products of interest to the extent such information is deemed relevant to the user-inputted search queries and is available. Thus, search engines often aid users in making informed decisions regarding purchasing products of interest. Nevertheless, the actual comparison of the products and decision-making processes are left to the users as this is beyond the intended purposes of a search engine.

Popular search engine firms rely on search advertising as a major source of income. The fact that internet users often use search engines with an eye towards purchasing products makes them particularly appealing to advertisers who are attempting to reach their target consumer audience. Since popular internet search engines rely on keywords in providing results, it follows that search advertising is also sold and delivered on the basis of keywords.

Popular search engine firms conduct running auctions to sell advertising space according to the bids received for keywords. Higher demand keywords command higher bid prices. Typically, advertisers are charged based on click-throughs and not merely the display of their advertisements in response to the keywords. Popular search engines thus typically position advertisements on the search result pages based, at least in part, on click-through rates (“CTRs”).

Internet searching is a way for internet users to collect information about goods/services that they are considering for purchase. Web search engines rely on user-inputted, keyword-based search queries in order to provide links to relevant web pages and web documents arranged in relevancy-ranked lists. Accordingly, users can input search queries in an effort to find web pages and web documents that focus on the category of goods/services or specific goods/services they wish to learn about.

Internet users can also collect information about products via faceted search tools. Faceted search tools utilize a faceted classification system to organize data associated with goods/services the internet users are considering for purchase. For instance, faceted classification systems classify data sets of goods/services based on attributes (e.g., factors) of the goods/services. In particular, each of the attributes represents a dimension of the data sets of goods/services which are organized according to the faceted classification system. The internet users are able to access the data sets of goods/services by applying multiple filters (e.g., facets) corresponding to each dimension of the data sets of goods/services.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of providing vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is provided. The method can include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network.

In another aspect, a computer program product having a computer storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded in the computer storage medium for causing a computer to interface a decision engine and a marketing engine is provided. The computer program mechanism can include a first computer code device configured to interface with the decision engine; a second computer code device configured to interface with the marketing engine; and a third computer code device configured to facilitate data sharing between the decision engine and the marketing engine.

In yet another aspect, a system for providing vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is provided. The system can include one or more servers on a network; a decision engine provided on the one or more servers, the decision engine connected to one or more storage devices for storing, at least in part, decision-related data; a marketing engine provided on the one or more servers, the marketing engine connected to the one or more storage devices for storing, at least in part, vendor-related data; an interfacing application tying the marketing engine to the decision engine, the interfacing application on the one or more servers, wherein the interfacing application is capable of facilitating data sharing between the decision engine and the marketing engine; and wherein the decision engine is capable of serving a plurality of client computing devices on a user-accessible portion of the network.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a computer-implemented method for providing vendor-related data. The method comprises receiving modified decision-related data from a decision engine. The modified decision-related data is generated by the decision engine by applying at least one user input to decision-related data, wherein the decision-related data is at least one factor used as a criteria in selecting at least one decision option. The at least one decision option is an output of the decision engine in response to the application of the at least one user input to the decision-related data.

In addition, the embodiment retrieves vendor-related data from a marketing database based on one or more properties of the modified decision-related data. The retrieving includes matching the at least one factor to at least one vendor factor associated with the vendor-related data and obtaining vendor-related data associated with at least a subset of the at least one vendor factor. The at least one vendor factor is a criteria used in selecting the vendor-related data.

Also, the embodiment processes the modified decision-related data to modify the at least one vendor factor and selects a subset of the vendor-related data based on the modified at least one vendor factor.

The embodiment may provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user. The embodiment may also trigger a marketing engine associated with the marketing database to provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user. Additionally, the embodiment may provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to a marketing engine associated with the marketing database as a recommendation of vendor-related data to provide to the user. The marketing engine utilizes the recommendation to provide vendor-related data to the user.

The modified decision-related data may include at least one factor having a weighted score, where the weighted score of the at least one factor is determined by at least an importance assigned to the at least one factor by the user.

The embodiment may retrieve the vendor-related data by selecting the marketing database corresponding to a vendor and retrieving the vendor-related data from the selected at least one marketing database.

The embodiment may select the marketing database corresponding to the vendor by selecting the vendor based on whether or not goods and/or services provided by the vendor correspond to the decision-related data.

Also, the embodiment may process the modified decision-related data by ranking the vendor-related data by applying weighted scores associated with the decision-related data to the vendor factors and selecting a subset of the ranked vendor-related data. Further, the embodiment may select the subset of ranked vendor-related data by selecting the subset based on an advertisement subscription of a vendor associated with the vendor-related data. In addition, the embodiment may provide the vendor-related data to the user by presenting the vendor-related data along with at least one decision option. The at least one decision option is presented to the user by the decision engine utilizing the modified decision-related data. The at least one decision option may be product and/or service related data.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a system for providing vendor-related data. The system comprises one or more processors on a network. The system also comprises an interface, provided on the one or more processors, configured to receive modified decision-related data from a decision engine. The modified decision-related data is generated by the decision engine by applying at least one user input to decision-related data. The decision-related data is at least one factor used as a criteria in selecting at least one decision option. The at least one decision option is an output of the decision engine in response to the application of the at least one user input to the decision-related data.

The system also comprises a retrieving module, provided on the one or more processors, configured to retrieve vendor-related data from a marketing database based on one or more properties of the modified decision-related data. The retrieving module is further configured to match the at least one factor to at least one vendor factor associated with the vendor-related data and obtain vendor-related data associated with at least a subset of the at least one vendor factor. The at least one vendor factor is a criteria used in selecting the vendor-related data.

In addition, the system comprises a selection module, provided on the one or more processors, configured to process the modified decision-related data to modify the at least one vendor factor. The selection module is further configured to select a subset of the vendor-related data based on the modified at least one vendor factor.

The interface may be further configured to provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user. The interface may also be further configured to trigger a marketing engine associated with the marketing database to provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user. Also, the interface may be further configured to provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to a marketing engine associated with the marketing database as a recommendation of vendor-related data to provide to the user, the marketing engine utilizing the recommendation to provide vendor-related data to the user.

The modified decision-related data includes at least one factor having a weighted score, the weighted score of the at least one factor determined by at least an importance assigned to the at least one factor by the user.

The retrieving module may be further configured to select the marketing database corresponding to a vendor and retrieve the vendor-related data from the selected at least one marketing database. The retrieving module may also be further configured to select the vendor based on whether or not goods and/or services provided by the vendor correspond to the decision-related data.

The selecting module may include a ranking module configured to rank the vendor-related data by applying weighted scores associated with the decision-related data to the vendor factors. The selecting module may be further configured to select a subset of the ranked vendor-related data. Also, the selecting module may be further configured to select the subset of the ranked vendor-related data based on an advertisement subscription of a vendor associated with the vendor-related data.

The system may further comprise a presenting module configured to provide the vendor-related data along with at least one decision option. The at least one decision option is presented to the user by the decision engine utilizing the modified decision-related data. The at least one decision option may be product and/or service related data.

Yet another example embodiment is a computer-implemented method for providing vendor-related data. The method comprises receiving modified decision-related data from a decision engine. The modified decision-related data is generated by the decision engine by applying at least one user input to decision related data. The method also comprises retrieving vendor-related data from a marketing database based on one or more properties of the modified decision-related data. Also, the method comprises processing the modified decision-related data to modify at least one vendor factor associated with the retrieved vendor-related data and selecting a subset of the retrieved vendor-related data based on the modified at least one vendor factor.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, apparatuses, or computer readable media, with program codes embodied thereon, for comparing decision options. One embodiment is a method that includes storing, via one or more processors, a set of decision options, where the decision options correspond to at least one category of goods/services. The method also includes determining, via the one or more processors, for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. Each factor is utilized by a user to make a decision to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options. In addition, the method includes receiving, via the one or more processors, a plurality of user preference indicators, each user preference indicator corresponding to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. The method further includes ranking, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator. Also, the method includes providing the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. Additionally, the method includes reranking, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator and providing the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator.

At least one of the plurality of user preference indicators can be a value associated with an importance of the respective factor in the user's overall decision to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options.

The method can further include normalizing the values of each of the plurality of factors. In addition, the method can include calculating a user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options using the normalized values and ranking the set of decision options based on the calculated user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options.

Normalizing the values of each of the plurality of factors can include determining a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors and determining a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors. Further, the method can include applying a scaling transform using the determined minimum and maximum values to generate the normalized values for each of the plurality of factors.

Reranking the set of decision options can include calculating a revised user preference score for each of the decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator and reordering the set of decision options based on the revised user preference score.

Ranking the set of decision options can include calculating a weighted score for each factor of the plurality of factors using the user preference indicators and calculating a user preference score for each of the decision options, wherein the user preference score is a sum of the weighted score for each factor of the corresponding decision options.

Another embodiment is an apparatus configured to compare decision options. The apparatus includes one or more processors. The apparatus also includes a memory configured to store, via the one or more processors, a set of decision options, the decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services. In addition, the apparatus includes a factorization module configured to determine, via the one or more processors, for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. Each factor is utilized by a user to make a decision to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options. Also, the apparatus includes an interface configured to receive, via the one or more processors, a plurality of user preference indicators, where each user preference indicator corresponding to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. Additionally, the apparatus includes a ranking module configured to rank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator.

The interface is further configured to provide the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. The ranking module is further configured to rerank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator. In addition, the interface is also configured to provide the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator. At least one of the plurality of user preference indicators is a value associated with an importance of the respective factor in the user's overall decision to select the at least one decision option from the set of decision options.

The apparatus can also include a normalizing module configured to normalize the values of each of the plurality of factors. Also, the apparatus can include a user preference module configured to calculate a user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options using the normalized values. The ranking module can be further configured to rank the set of decision options based on the calculated user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options.

The normalizing module can be further configured to determine a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors and determine a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors. In addition, the normalizing module can be configured to apply a scaling transform using the determined minimum and maximum values to generate the normalized values for each of the plurality of factors.

The user preference module can be further configured to calculate a revised user preference score for each of the decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator. In addition, the ranking module can be configured to reorder the set of decision options based on the revised user preference score.

Further, the user preference module can be further configured to calculate a weighted score for each factor of the plurality of factors using the user preference indicators and calculate a user preference score for each of the decision options, wherein the user preference score is a sum of the weighted score for each factor of the corresponding decision options.

Another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable program codes embodied thereon for comparing decision options, the computer readable program codes including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to store, via one or more processors, a set of decision options, the decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services. The code also causes the processor to determine, via the one or more processors, for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. Each factor is utilized by a user to make a decision to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options. In addition, the code causes the processor to receive, via the one or more processors, a plurality of user preference indicators, each user preference indicator corresponding to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. Further, the code causes the processor to rank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator. Additionally, the code causes the processor to provide the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. The code also causes the processor to rerank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator and provide the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a decision making and response system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a factors data entry page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a graph factors page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a decision options page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a raw data page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a score results page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a graph results page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a page including a pop-up summary window that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of comparing different options using the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a marketing profile data entry page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of another marketing profile data entry page that may be used with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method of providing vendor-related data in response to decision-related data using the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of decision and response engines that may be provided to the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary diagram of a unique set of factors associated with a user.

FIG. 16 is another exemplary diagram of a unique set of factors associated with a user.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of a base set of factors of a user.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary diagram of a score based upon factors of a user.

FIG. 19 is another exemplary diagram of a score based upon factors of a user.

FIG. 20 is another exemplary diagram of a score based upon factors of a user.

FIG. 21 is another exemplary diagram of a score based upon factors of a user.

FIG. 22 is network diagram illustrating a connector engine used to connect a decision engine to a marketing engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a connector engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 24A-D are tables illustrating decision logic utilized by a connector engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of an example method for providing vendor-related data.

FIG. 26 is a graphical user interface by which a user is able to compare decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a user preference indicator interface in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a lossless query engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of a method for comparing decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of another method for comparing decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of a method for normalizing values of factors corresponding to a set of decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of a lossless query processor 700 that employs a lossless query engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a flow diagram of a method of using a lossless query engine in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Further, many of the embodiments described herein are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the various sequence of actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) and/or by program instructions executed by at least one processor. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein can be embodied entirely within any form of computer-readable storage medium such that execution of the sequence of actions enables the processor to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the present invention may be embodied in a number of different forms, all of which have been contemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, for each of the embodiments described herein, the corresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein as, for example, “a computer configured to” perform the described action.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a decision making and response system 100. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic illustration of system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, system 100 may include a web portal 102, at least one first user 104 and at least one second user 106. In the exemplary embodiment, each first user 104 and each second user 106 may be coupled in communication to web portal 102 using a network 110. In the exemplary embodiment, network 110 may be the Internet. In an alternative embodiment, network 110 may be a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN, a wide area network (WAN) and/or any other type of connection that enables system 100 to function as described herein. System 100, in the exemplary embodiment, may also include at least one server 112 and at least one database 114. In the exemplary embodiment, server 112 may be coupled in communication to database 114 using a network connection 115 that is coupled to a local network 116 such as, but not limited to, a LAN, a wireless LAN, a WAN and/or any other connection that enables system 100 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, first users 104 may be any entity that desires to make a decision on a plurality of decision options using at least one factor. Each factor represents a specific consideration that a user may take into account when selecting the decision option. System 100 may be used with decision analyses including, but not limited to, the purchase of any type of products or services, the purchase of any type of real estate, determining which school to attend, determining which career path to pursue or any other decision. In one embodiment, first users 104 may be the general public. Second users 106 may be any entity that is interested in the decision analysis conducted by first users 104. In one embodiment, second users 106 may be any entity that desires to advertise decision options to first users 104. In another embodiment, second users 106 may include, but not limited to, advertising agencies, advertisers and specific product entities.

In the exemplary embodiment, server 112 may include at least one engine 118 programmed therein. Alternatively, a plurality of servers 112 may be used, wherein each server 112 may include at least one engine 118 programmed therein. As used herein, the term “engine” may refer to a collection of logic and/or code that may be executed on server 112 or any other type of device or processor that is capable of producing a response. In the exemplary embodiment, first engine 118 may be a decision engine. In one embodiment, server 112 may include a second engine 120 that may be a connector engine and a third engine 122 that may be a response engine, such as an advertising/marketing engine. In another embodiment, server 112 may include any type of engines or any number of engines that enable system 100 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, the term “server” is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a processor, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, an application specific integrated circuit and other programmable circuits. These aforementioned terms may be used interchangeably herein. In the exemplary embodiment, server 112 may include a bus 130 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 132 coupled with bus 130 for processing the information. In one embodiment, a plurality of processors 132 may be arranged in a multi-processor arrangement to facilitate faster processing as compared to a single processor arrangement. In the exemplary embodiment, system 100 may also include a main memory 134, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM) and synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)) coupled to bus 130 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 132. In addition, main memory 134 may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions by processor 132. System 100 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 136 or other static storage device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM) and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to bus 130 for storing static information and instructions for processor 132.

System 100 may also include a disk controller 138 coupled to bus 130 to control one or more storage devices for storing information and instructions. In the exemplary embodiment, storage devices may include, but not limited to, a magnetic hard disk 140 and a removable media drive 142 (e.g., floppy disk drive, read-only compact disc drive, read/write compact disc drive, compact disc jukebox, tape drive and removable magneto-optical drive). The storage devices may be coupled to system 100 using any appropriate device interface known to one having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), integrated device electronics (IDE), enhanced-IDE (E-IDE), direct memory access (DMA), or ultra-DMA). System 100 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)).

In the exemplary embodiment, main memory 134, hard disk 140 and removable media drive 142 are examples of computer-readable mediums that facilitate holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the invention, data structures, tables, records and/or other data described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” or “computer-readable media” as used herein refers to any medium that facilitates storing and/or providing instructions to processor 132 for the execution thereof. The computer-readable media may include, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media may include, but not limited to, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM or any other magnetic medium. Moreover, non-volatile media may also include compact discs (e.g., CD-ROM) or any other optical medium. Further, non-volatile media may include punch cards, paper tape or other physical medium with patterns of holes. Volatile media may include dynamic memory, such as main memory 134. Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that make up bus 130. Transmission media may also include carrier waves such as acoustic or light waves that may be generated using radio waves and infrared data communications.

In the exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable media may include software that facilitates controlling system 100. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools and applications software. Such computer-readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention.

The computer code devices of the present invention may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes, and complete executable programs. Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed for better performance, reliability, and/or cost.

In the exemplary embodiment, system 100 may further include a display controller 144 coupled to bus 130 to control a display 146, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other type of display to facilitate displaying information to a computer user. System 100 may include a plurality of input devices, such as a keyboard 148 and a pointing device 150, to facilitate interacting with the computer user and providing information to processor 132. Alternatively, a touch screen may be used in conjunction with display 146. In one embodiment, pointing device 150 may be a mouse, a trackball or a pointing stick for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 132 and for controlling cursor movement on display 146. In addition, a printer (not shown) may be coupled to system 100 to facilitate printing data stored and/or generated by system 100.

System 100 also includes a communication interface 152 coupled to bus 130, wherein communication interface 152 may be coupled in communication to LAN 116 or network 110 using network connection 115. In one embodiment, communication interface 152 may be a network interface card that is coupled in communication to any packet switched LAN. In another embodiment, communication interface 152 may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to facilitate providing a data communication connection to network connection 115. In yet another embodiment, wireless connections may be used to couple communication interface 152 to LAN 116 and/or network 110. In the exemplary embodiment, communication interface 152 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data to and from system 100, which are exemplary forms of carrier waves that facilitate transporting information. Network connection 115 facilitates providing data communication between web portal 102 and data devices using networks 116 and 130. Specifically, network connection 115 may couple first users 104 and/or second users 106 to web portal 102 using at least one of local network 116 and network 110. System 100 may also transmit and receive data, including program code, through networks 116 and 110 using network connection 115 and communication interface 152. Moreover, network connection 115 may couple server 112 in communication to a mobile device 132 such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, an ultra-compact mobile device or any other mobile device that enables system 100 to function as described herein.

During operation, system 100 may perform a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to processor 132 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained within main memory 134 and/or other forms of computer-readable media. In one embodiment, processor 132 may execute the instructions contained within the computer-readable media. In another embodiment, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with the instructions. Thus, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing all or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modern. A modern local to system 100 may receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to bus 130 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on bus 130. Bus 130 carries the data to main memory 134, from which processor 132 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory 134 may optionally be stored on hard disk 140 or removable media drive 142 either before or after execution by processor 132.

Other aspects of the invention may include data transmission and Internet-related activities. See Gralla, Preston, How the Internet Works, Ziff-Davis Press (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application. Still other aspects of the invention may utilize wireless data transmission, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,456,645, 5,818,328 and/or 6,208,445, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a factors data entry interface page, or factors page 200 that may be used with engine 118. It should be understood that the following description is a non-limiting example pertaining to an exemplary decision engine. In the exemplary embodiment, factors page 200 includes a navigation area 202 and a factor data area 204. Navigation area 202 includes a plurality of radio buttons such as, but not limited to, a factors button 206, an options button 208, a data button 210, a results button 212, a graph results button 214, a graph factors button 216, a clear button 218 and a summary button 220. Each radio button facilitates directing a user to the respective interface page. In the exemplary embodiment, clear button 218 facilitates hiding a score summary pop-up window 294 (shown in FIG. 9) and summary button 220 facilitates displaying score summary pop-up window 294 on the page. Moreover, navigation area 202 may include a save/load button 222 and a new decisions button 224. In the exemplary embodiment, save/load button 222 enables the user to either save their decision analysis progress or load a previously saved decision analysis. Additional information may be included when the user saves their results, such as the ability to choose a destination to save a file to, the ability to name the file to be saved and the ability to include a description of the results. Additionally, engine 118 may allow the user to load saved decision analyses as well as delete prior saved results. Moreover, new decisions button 224 enables the user to begin a new decision analysis.

Factor data area 204 may include a plurality of data columns 226 and at least one data row 228. The plurality of data columns 226 may include, but not limited to, a factors column 232, a first data column 234 and a second data column 236, wherein each column 232, 234 and 236 includes at least one data entry field 238. Each data row 228 may include an ON/OFF toggle button 244, an importance indicator 246 and at least one data entry field 238 associated with columns 232, 234 and 236. In the exemplary embodiment, each ON/OFF button 244 facilitates including or excluding the associated data row 228 from the decision analysis performed by engine 118. Moreover, each importance indicator 246 facilitates indicating the importance of the associated factor that is assigned by the user. In the exemplary embodiment, an aspect of each factor may be indicated in at least one of first and second data columns 234 and 236. Specifically, in one embodiment, an aspect of each factor may be indicated with a range of values. In another embodiment, an aspect of each factor may be indicated as a subjective assessment. In yet another embodiment, an aspect of each factor may be indicated as at least one of a yes/no answer, a true/false answer, a multiple-choice answer, numerical data and any other type of entry known by one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, in the event that each factor may be quantified, a most desired value may be entered into first data column 234 and a least desired value may be entered into second data column 236. In the event that each factor may be represented as a subjective assessment, the user may enter the word “opinion” in at least one of first and second columns 234 and 236. In the event that each factor may be represented as yes/no or true/false entry, the user may indicate the most desired entry in first data column 234 and the least desired entry in second data column 236.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a graph factors page 250. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may navigate to graph factors page 250 by clicking graph factors radio button 216 in navigation area 202 included in graph factors page 250. Graph factors page 250 may also include a display area 252 that may include a chart 254 that graphically represents the importance of each factor assigned by the user using importance indicator 246. Specifically, chart 254 includes a y-axis 256 that includes each factor used in the decision process and an x-axis 258 that includes the relative importance of each factor. At least one graph bar 260 is associated with each factor such that graph bar 260 may graphically represent the importance of each factor. Moreover, the relative importance of each factor is displayed by importance percentage basis. In an alternative embodiment, display area 252 may display the factor importance as a pie chart, a list or any other method of displaying information known to one having ordinary skill in the art to enable engine 118 to function as described herein.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a decision options page 252. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may navigate to decision options page 252 by clicking options radio button 208 in navigation area 202 included in decision options page 252. Decision options page 252 may also include a decision options area 254 that may include at least one data row 256 that may include a decision option 258 and at least one ON/OFF toggle button 244 associated therewith. In the exemplary embodiment, and described in more detail below, engine 118 may determine at least one decision option 258 based on the factors entered by the user in factors page 200. In one embodiment, the user may indicate a broad category of the desired decision options 258 to which each factor may apply. In another embodiment, engine 118 may automatically determine the decision option 258 category that applies based on the factors entered by the user in factors page 200. In yet another embodiment, the user may enter a plurality of decision options 258 and at least one factor into system 100 to enable engine 118 to decide on an appropriate decision option 258 based on the entered decision options 258 and factors.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a raw data page 260. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may navigate to data page 260 by clicking data radio button 210 in navigation area 202 included within data page 260. Data page 260 may also include a data display area 262 that may include at least one data matrix 264. Specifically, data matrix 264 may include at least one data column 266 associated with each decision option 258 determined by engine 118. Moreover, data matrix 264 may include at least one data row 268 associated with each factor entered by the user. In the exemplary embodiment, as described in more detail below, engine 118 determines the objective score or rating for each factor for each decision option 258 and displays the values in matrix form. In the exemplary embodiment, each factor score is non-weighted. As a result, data page 260 displays the raw data to the user. For example, as described in more detail below, in the event the factor score may be quantified, a numeric value is displayed. In the event the factor value is an opinion, the value may be displayed as a subjective assessment using a percent scale. For example, a subjective assessment may be displayed as 8 stars out of 10 stars, as described in more detail below. Further, in the event the factor value may be displayed as a yes/no answer or true/false answer, such an answer is displayed. Moreover, in the event the factor score is a multiple choice answer, a single answer choice that applies to the decision option is displayed. For example, if the factor is a color, then the factor score may be indicated as the specific color of the specific decision option.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a score results page 270. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may navigate to results page 270 by clicking results radio button 212 in navigation area 202 included within results page 270. Results page 270 may also include a data display area 272 that may include at least one data matrix 274. Specifically, data matrix 274 may include at least one data column 276 associated with each decision option 258 determined by engine 118. Moreover, data matrix 264 may also include at least one data row 278 associated with each factor entered by the user. In the exemplary embodiment, as described in more detail below, engine 118 determines the weighted score of each factor using the non-weighted factor score and the importance assigned to the factor by the user. Each weighted factor score for each decision option 258 is displayed in matrix form. In the exemplary embodiment, each weighted factor score is a numeric number that is used to determine a total score for each decision option 258.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a graph results page 280. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may navigate to graph results page 280 by clicking graph results radio button 214 in navigation area 202 included in graph results page 280. Graph results page 280 may also include a display area 282 that may include a chart 284 that graphically represents the score of each decision option 258 determined by engine 118. Specifically, chart 284 includes a y-axis 286 that includes at least one decision option 258 compared by engine 118 and an x-axis 288 that includes the total scores of each decision option 258. A graph bar 290 is associated with each decision option 258 such that graph bar 290 may graphically represent the total score each decision option 258. In an alternative embodiment, display area 282 may display the total score as a pie chart, a list or any other method of displaying information known to one having ordinary skill in the art to enable system 100 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, once the score for each decision option 258 is determined by engine 118, as shown in FIG. 9, the user may click on summary button 220 to display score summary pop-up window 294 on any page. Score summary pop-up window 294 may include a list of the compared decision options 258 and the scores associated with each decision option 258.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of exemplary method 300 of comparing different options using system 100. During operation, a user desiring to decide on a decision option may utilize system 100, and more specifically engine 118, to facilitate determining which decision option to choose. In one embodiment, system 100 may be utilized or implemented on network 110, such as, but not limited to, the Internet. Engine 118 may be used with decision analyses including, but not limited to, the purchase of any type of products or services, the purchase of any type of real estate, deciding which school to attend, deciding which career to pursue or any other type of decision analysis. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may begin a new decision analysis by clicking new decisions button 224 in any of the pages shown in FIGS. 3-9. In method step 302, the user may then navigate to factors page 200, as shown in FIG. 3, by clicking factors radio button 206, wherein the user may enter a plurality of factors, corresponding to various aspects of the desired decision option, into factors column 232. Moreover, the user may enter specific data for each factor into first data column 234 and/or second data column 236. The factor data may be quantified by engine 118 according to an importance level assigned to each factor by the user using importance indicator 246. In method step 304, once the user has entered the plurality of factors, the factor data and assigned the importance level of each factor, engine 118 may determine a plurality of decision options 258 to be analyzed and compared in the decision analysis, as shown in FIG. 4.

Although engine 118 may be used with any decision analysis, a non-limiting example pertaining to deciding which automobile the user should purchase is used to describe the operation of engine 118. In this non-limiting example, engine 118 may analyze and compare various aspects of automobiles to enable the user to make a decision on which automobile to purchase. Specifically, the plurality of factors may represent various aspects of automobiles that the user may use to analyze and compare potential automobiles. For example, factors 1-10 shown in FIG. 3 may represent, miles per gallon (MPG), cost, miles per tank, interior noise level, appearance, quarter mile time, 0-60 miles per hour (MPH) time, turning radius, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and exterior color, respectively. Once the user enters the plurality of automobile factors into factors column 232 in factors page 200, the user may enter unique factor data for each factor in at least one of first and second columns 234 and 236.

In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing example, the unique factor data may represent aspects of a potentially acceptable automobile that the user would purchase. In the exemplary embodiment, at least one factor may be represented as a range. For example, the user may be interested in an automobile that can travel between a range of about 10 to about 35 miles per gallon and cost between a range of about $15,000 to about $25,000. Moreover, at least one other factor may be represented as a subjective assessment, a yes/no answer, a true/false answer or a multiple-choice answer. In one embodiment, an automobile factor that may be a subjective assessment may include interior noise level or appearance. In such an embodiment, the user may enter “opinion” in at least one of first and second data columns 234 and 236 for the interior noise level factor. In another embodiment, a factor that may include a yes/no or true/false answer may be whether the automobile has anti-lock brakes installed. In such an embodiment, in the event the user desires an automobile that includes anti-lock brakes, the user may enter “yes” as the best answer in first data column 234 and “no” as the worst answer in second data column 236. In yet another embodiment, a factor that may include a multiple-choice answer may be the color of the automobile. In such an embodiment, the user may enter “red, green and blue” as the most desired colors in first data column 234 and “white, black and yellow” as the least desired colors in second data column 236. Lastly, once the user has entered the unique factor data for each factor, the user may assign the importance level to each factor using importance indicator 246. After the importance level of each factor have been assigned, the user may view a graphical representation of the importance levels of each factor by navigating to graph factors page 250 by clicking the graph factors radio button 216 on any page shown in FIGS. 3-9.

Once the user has entered the plurality of factors, entered the factor data and assigned the importance level to each factor in factors page 200, engine 118 may determine a plurality of decision options and output those options in decision options page 252, for example as shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, information for a plurality of decision options, such as but not limited to products, may be located on the Internet. In one embodiment, engine 118 may search the Internet or any other network or database for decision option information, which has been tagged and therefore searchable using an Internet search engine or any other tool. In the exemplary embodiment, ten decision options 258 may be returned and displayed in decision options page 252. Alternatively, any number of decision options 258 may be returned. In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, decision options A-J may represent different makes and/or models of vehicles that engine 118 determined were relevant to the decision analysis. In the exemplary embodiment, each determined decision option 258 is displayed on a corresponding data row 256 that includes ON/OFF button 244 associated therewith. The user may include the determined decision option 258 in the decision analysis by switching ON/OFF 244 button to “ON” or exclude the determined decision option 258 by switching ON/OFF 244 button to “OFF”. In the exemplary embodiment, all ON/OFF buttons 244 are switched to “ON” which means that all of decision options A-J will be analyzed and compared in the decision analysis. Alternatively, the user may manually provide the plurality of decision options 258 to engine 118.

Once the plurality of decision options 258 have been determined by engine 118, the factor data for each decision option 258 may be displayed in data page 260, as shown in FIG. 6. In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, the aspects of each automobile are displayed in data page 260. For example, decision option A, or automobile A, gets 42 MPG, costs $24,777, gets 600 miles per tank, received 7 out of 8 stars for interior noise level and has an exterior color of red.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in method step 306, system 100, and more specifically engine 118 may calculate a numeric value, or raw value, that represents the overall desirability of each factor. Specifically, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of the data entered in first data column 234 that represents a best or most desirable value. Further, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of the factor data entered in second data column 236 that represents a worst or least desirable value. For example, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 10, or any other value that represents the best or most desirable value, for factors that include data that is equal to or greater than the data entered in first data column 234. Similarly, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 0, or any other value that represents the worst or least desirable value, for factors that include data that is equal to or less than the data entered in second data column 236. Moreover, engine 118 may calculate a corresponding numeric value for factors that include data that is between the best and worst values entered in first and second data columns 234 and 236 using an algorithm such as linear computation. In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, for factor 1, or MPG, the user entered a most desirable MPG of 35 and a least desirable MPG of 10. In such an example, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 5 for a decision option having an MPG of 22.5, a numeric value of 2.5 for a decision option having an MPG of 16.25, a numeric value of 7.5 for a decision option having an MPG of 28.75 and so forth and so on. Alternatively, factor data that falls between the best and worst desired values entered in first and second data columns 234 and 236 may have numeric values assigned by engine 118 using polynomial computation, logarithmic computation, power computation, exponential computation, moving average computation or any other computation method that enables engine 118 to function as described herein.

In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, for factor 4, or interior noise level, the user entered “opinion” in at least one of first and second data column 234 and 236, shown in FIG. 3. In the event the decision option 258 includes a subjective assessment or review from a third party that assessment may be used to calculate a numeric value. For example, in one embodiment, the third party automobile review agency may determine that a particular vehicle has a relatively low amount of interior noise and therefore award 7 stars to that vehicle for interior noise. In such an example, engine 118 may calculate the rating percent and convert that percent to the numeric number. For example, 7 out of 10 stars would equal a 70% interior noise rating. Engine 118 may then calculate the interior noise factor as 7. In the event the decision option 258 does not include a subjective assessment for a third party that may be used to calculate a numeric value, engine 118 may inform the user that no numeric value was calculated for that particular factor.

In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, for factor 9, or ABS, the user entered “yes”, or “true”, in first data column 234 and “no”, or “false”, in second data column 236. In such an example, in the event a vehicle includes ABS, the engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 10 for factor 9. In the event a vehicle does not include ABS, then engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 0 for factor 9.

In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, for factor 10, or exterior vehicle color, the user entered “red, green, blue” in first data column 234 and “white, black, yellow” in second data column 236. In such an example, in the event a vehicle includes an exterior color of red, green or blue, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 10 for factor 10. In the event the vehicle includes an exterior color of white, black or yellow, engine 118 may calculate a numeric value of 0 for factor 10. Further, in the event that the vehicle color is neither, red, green, blue, white, black nor yellow, engine 118 may alert the user of the vehicle's color.

In the event the user wishes to exclude a factor from the decision analysis, the user may switch ON/OFF button 240 in the factors page 200 to “OFF” for the factor. As a result, engine 118 will not consider that factor in the decision analysis.

In method step 308, once the numeric value of each factor of each decision option 258 is calculated, system 100, and more specifically engine 118 may calculate a weighted score for each factor using the importance assigned to each factor by the user. Scores of each factor may be weighted in any manner, for example by applying a higher weight to scores for factors having a greater importance to the user. Further, the weighted scores can be based on any scaling method and should not be limited to the numbers or scales shown herein. In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, the user ranks factor 1 and 2, or MPG and cost, as the most important factors in the decision analysis and therefore assigns an importance ranking of 100 to factors 1 and 2. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the user assigned an importance value of 50 to factor 3, or miles per tank. Moreover, the user assigned an importance value of 25 to factors 4-10. As a result, in this example, the user desires an affordable automobile that achieves substantially good gas mileage and may be driven a relatively far distance on a single tank of gas. However, other factors, such as interior noise level, acceleration, turning radius and ABS braking are other factors that, while not as important as cost, MPG and miles per tank, they may influence the decision of the user in one way or another.

For example, factor 1, or MPG factor of decision option A, gets 42 MPG. The user indicated that the most desirable MPG for an automobile is 35 MPG. The MPG factor for automobile A is greater than the most desired value and as a result, MPG factor receives a score of 10. Further, the user assigned an importance of 100 for the MPG factor. As a result, the MPG score is multiplied by the importance level. As such, the exemplary weighted score for the MPG factor for automobile A is 10.times.100=1000, as shown in FIG. 7. In the event the MPG was 22.5, as described above, the MPG score would be 5 and the weighted score would be 5.times.100=500. Moreover, the interior noise level factor received 7 out of 10 stars, therefore, receiving a score of 7. The user assigned an importance level of 25 for this factor. As a result, the weighted score of the interior noise level is 7.times.25=175. Further, the exterior color of automobile A is red, resulting in a score of 10. The user assigned an importance level of 25 to this factor. As such, the weighted score of the exterior color factor is 10.times.25=250. Similar calculations are performed for all desired decision options.

Once the weighted score for each factor is calculated by engine 118, the score for each factor and total score for each decision option 258 may be displayed in results page 270, as shown in FIG. 7. In the exemplary embodiment, each automobile, or decision option 258, is displayed with the weighted score of each factor. Moreover, the total score of each automobile is calculated by engine 118 and displayed for each decision option 258. In the non-limiting vehicle purchasing decision example, decision option A, or automobile A, received a total score of 2553, automobile B received a total score of 1960, automobile C received a total score of 2359 and automobile D received a total score of 2118.

In method step 310, as shown in FIG. 10, engine 118 ranks each decision option based on the total score. In method step 312, engine 118 displays a graphical representation of the total scores of each decision option, or automobile, may be displayed in graph results page 280, as shown in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, engine 118 may display the ranks of each decision option based on the total score. Once the total scores of each decision option or automobile are calculated by engine 118, the user may display summary pop-up window 294 on any page by clicking summary button 220, as shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, summary pop-up window may display any decision analysis information. As such, the user may interpret from FIG. 8 that automobiles options A and J include a majority of the user's desired factors. As a result, system 100 enables the user to choose a decision option based on at least one factor.

Referring again to FIG. 1 as well as FIG. 14, system 100 may include at least one server 112. Server 112 may include first engine 118, second engine 120 and third engine 122. In at least one embodiment, first engine 118 may be a decision engine, second engine 120 may be a connector engine and third engine 122 may be a response engine.

Connector engine 120 may be an interfacing application for facilitating data sharing between decision engine 118 and response engine 122. Response engine 122 may process the shared data and respond with any type of response. For example, response engine 122 may process the presence or absence of factors, the presence or absence of groups of factors, the presence or absence of decision options, the presence or absence of raw data, the presence or absence of thresholds for factor importance ratings, the presence or absence of thresholds for factor weights, the presence or absence of thresholds for group factor weights, the presence or absence of thresholds for decision option ranks, the presence or absence of thresholds for decision option scores, the bounds of factor definitions, the bounds of normalized factor definitions, the bounds of weighted factor definitions and the like. Response engine 122 may respond with advertisements, alerts, information, grades, URLs, merchants, coupons, opportunities, video, audio, queries, analyses and any other response known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In at least one exemplary embodiment, response engine 122 may be a marketing/advertising engine for responding with types of vendor-related data.

Decision engine 118 may be any embodiment described above or any other decision engine known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Decision engine 118 may be capable of serving a plurality of first users 104 operating client computing devices on a user-accessible portion of network 110, such as the Internet. In web-based embodiments, users 104 may be provided access to decision engine 118 for comparing decision options, for example and referred to hereinafter, but not limited to, products over the Internet through the use of suitable web-browsers operating on the client computing devices. Decision engine 118 may receive a plurality of user inputs and process decision-related data in accordance with the plurality of user inputs. Decision engine 118 may transmit a plurality of product results (e.g., in the form of decision options, relevant products, ranked products, etc.) via network 110 to the client computing devices for consideration by users 104. In at least one embodiment, the one or more product results may be scored, in total and/or by factor, and listed for display. The product results may be listed by rank, for example, with the highest scoring product appearing first in the list. Also, in at least one embodiment, the comparison of products may be based on decision options selected by user 104 from a predetermined set of products made available for user-selection or entry by decision engine 118.

In at least one embodiment, decision engine 118 may provide one or more product modules for comparing types and/or classes of products. As non-limiting examples, products modules may be provided for automobiles, real estate, schools, employment or any other type of product, service or action which may utilize a decision. Moreover, in a non-limiting manner, automobile product modules may be provided for economy vehicles, sport vehicles, sport utility vehicles, luxury vehicles and family vehicles.

Decision engine 118 may provide a plurality of relevant factors for selection by users 104 within each product module. As described above, all or less than all of the plurality of factors may be further definable by at least one of a range of numeric values (broadly read so as to also include a single numeric value), Boolean designations (i.e. yes/no answers and true/false answers), multiple-choice values/answers and any other data for defining factors known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Also, numeric ranges defining factors may include best and worst values with intermediate values defined between the two using any method known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Boolean designations and multiple-choice values may also be used to define best and worst values for the factors. Subjective factors may have pre-supplied definitions, such as those provided by third party entities. For instance, opinion definitions may be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 stars or any other scale known to one having ordinary skill in the art.

As described above, all or less than all of the plurality of factors may be assigned importance levels/ratings by user 104. The importance ratings may be used by decision engine 118 to weigh the factors. In at least one embodiment and as described above, user 104 may select, define and assign importance ratings to factors through one or more navigation screens/windows presented by decision engine 118 to user 104 via the graphical user interface and display of a client computing device.

In processing the decision-related data, decision engine 118 may define factors in accordance with the user inputs. For instance, a factor may be definable by numeric range. User 104 can input the numeric values (or numeric value) setting the numeric range through data entry provided by decision engine 118. Also, a factor may be definable by one or more Boolean designations/conditions. User 104 may select one of the two answers for each Boolean condition through data entry provided by decision engine 118. Moreover, a factor may be definable by one or more answers out of multiple available values. User 104 may select one or more answers for each set of multiple-choice values through data entry provided by decision engine 118. In at least one embodiment, subjective factors may not be definable by user 104, but may be defined by decision engine 118 (through, for example, third party ratings) and user 104 may select which factors may be considered. All or less than all of the factors selected by user 104 for consideration may be normalized on a standardized numerical scale (e.g., 1 to 10). Factors may then be weighed in accordance with user inputs for weighing such factors, which may be predominantly or wholly based on the importance ratings assigned to the factors by user 104.

As such, the decision-related data may include the factors, importance ratings for the factors and weights for the factors. Factor weights may be expressed as percentages, as one non-limiting example. The decision-related data may also include definitions for factors, whether, for example, by numeric scale, Boolean conditions, multiple-choice answers or subjective assessments. The decision-related data may also include product results (e.g., decision options), ranks for product results and scores (whether weighted or unweighted) for factors and product results. The decision-related data may also include data about user 104 and/or the client computing device of user 104. The decision-related data may additionally include metadata associated with any of the above or any other needed data, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. All or part of the decision-related data may be stored on at least one database 114.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 14, in at least one embodiment, marketing engine 122 may be interfaced with decision engine 118. Marketing engine 122 and decision engine 118 may be interfaced via interfacing application 120. Interfacing application 120 may allow for decision-related data processed by decision engine 118 to be shared with marketing engine 122. Marketing engine 122 may also process the decision-related data and process or provide any desired sales, advertisement, coupon or related data. Decision engine 118 and marketing engine 122 may process the decision-related data in parallel or nearly in parallel. Marketing engine 122 may transmit vendor-related data, or any other desired sales, advertisement, coupon or related data to the client computing devices of users 104 in accordance with the decision-related data.

The vendor-related data may include vendor advertisements, vendor locations, vendor ratings, vendor website hypertext links, vendor coupons, any combination thereof and like data known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The vendor-related data and any decision-related data may be transmitted together so as to be displayed to user 104 on a single web page or single set of web pages (e.g., related navigation screens). For example, a web page displayed to user 104 may show scored product results and may show vendor advertisements therewith. All or part of the vendor-related data can be stored on at least one database 114.

Vendor-related data may also include vendor marketing profiles that marketing engine 122 may process and match to the decision-related data that is also processed by marketing engine 122. The vendor marketing profiles may establish criteria for transmitting the other vendor-related data, such as vendor advertisements. The vendor marketing profiles may establish criteria for sending other vendor-related data (e.g., vendor advertisements) based on decision factors, importance ratings for the decision factors, importance ratings for the factors (or for groups of the factors), weights for factors (or for groups of the factors), ranks for the factors, definitions for the factors (and the underlying data defining the factors), product results (e.g., decision options), ranks for the products results, scores for the factor or product results, any combination thereof and the like.

Interfacing application 120 may tie marketing engine 122 to decision engine 118. Interfacing application 120 may be on at least one server 112. A primary purpose of interfacing application 120 may be to facilitate data between decision-engine 118 and marketing engine 122. In particular, interfacing application 120 may facilitate sharing of all or part of the decision-related data with marketing engine 122. As such, interfacing application 120 may provide the needed decision-related data to marketing engine 122.

Accordingly, an interfacing computer program product stored on a computer storage medium may include a computer program mechanism embedded in the computer storage medium for causing a computer to interface decision engine 118 and marketing engine 122. The computer code mechanism may include a computer code device configured to interface with decision engine 118. The computer code mechanism may also include another computer code device configured to interface with marketing engine 122. The computer code mechanism may further include yet another computer code device configured to facilitate data sharing between decision engine 118 and marketing engine 122.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate marketing profile data entry page 1100 and marketing profile data entry page 1200, respectively, that may be used with system 100, particularly, with marketing engine 122. In web-based embodiments, data entry pages 1100, 1200 may be web page forms provided by marketing engine 122 to the client computing devices of second users 106 via network 110. Second users 106 may be any entity or party involved in marketing or advertising, such as, but not limited to, advertising agencies, advertisers and specific product entities.

Marketing engine 122 may effectuate electronic advertising by providing users 106 with marketing profiles to establish criteria for conducting electronic advertising campaigns. Accordingly, marketing engine 122 may present one or more user-fillable marketing profile forms to users 106 for data entry of inputs defining criteria for an electronic advertising campaign. The marketing profiles and associated forms may be provided in numerous configurations and designs, as will be readily recognized by one having ordinary skill in the art. As such, marketing profiles may make use of numerous data entry fields and GUI widgets in providing fillable forms to users 106.

Referring particularly to FIG. 11, web page form 1100 for establishing criteria for conducting an electronic advertising campaign is illustrated in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. Marketing profile form 1100 may include a plurality of data entry fields for accepting user inputs corresponding to required or optional campaign information and criteria. Form 1100 may also provide directions that guide users 106 to fill out form 1100 by the way of data inputs for establishing or modifying an electronic advertising campaign.

Form 1100 may be directed to a running auction-style of electronic advertising campaigns, which may operate, at least in part, based on a bid-per-click system. Accordingly, the electronic advertising campaign may be priced based on a pay-per-click system or may be based and priced on any other system known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The running auction-style of electronic advertising campaigns and the pay-per-click pricing systems are well-known to one having ordinary skill in the art and further discussion directed thereto will be limited or omitted herein.

Form 1100 may include numerous sections of which the following are exemplary of Form 1100 may include a title/heading section 1102. As shown in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, form 1100 may be entitled “Advertising Campaign Dates, Clicks and Dollars.” Section 1104 of form 1100 may provide for data entry regarding account identifiers, such as, but not limited to, account name and account number. In at least one embodiment, account identifiers may be automatically provided by marketing engine 122 to user 106 who may be logged into their user account. Alternatively, user 106 may input data for identifying an account.

Form 1100 may include present date and campaign start date section 1106. The present date may be automatically provided to user 106 by marketing engine 122 and the campaign start date may be selected by user 106, as one non-limiting example. Form 1100 may also include section 1108 establishing campaign termination criteria. User 106 may input data establishing such termination criteria. As shown in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, termination criteria may be conditioned in the alternative with the first occurrence of any of the termination criteria resulting in the termination of the electronic advertising campaign. For instance, the alternative termination criteria may be a termination date, an amount of click-through or a campaign budget ceiling.

Form 1100 may further include bid-per-click section 1110. As shown in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, bid-per-click section 1110 may be used to establish a present bid-per-click and a maximum bid-per-click. User 106 may input such data and later be subjected to a running auction conducted by marketing engine 122 based on bid-per-click data.

Moreover, form 1100 may include product module section 1112. In at least one embodiment, decision engine 118 may provide and be applied to different products separately through a plurality of product modules focused on comparing certain types and/or classes of products. User 106 may only advertise in a product module(s) that user 106 deems most relevant to the goods and/or services user 106 is marketing. Accordingly, user 106 may select which product module(s) to apply the electronic advertising campaign to by inputting such into product module section 1112. In at least one embodiment, user 106 may select more than one product module to effectuate the electronic advertising campaign within.

Furthermore, form 1100 may include keyword section 1114. In at least one embodiment, decision engine 118 may provide for keyword-based searching and comparisons alone or in combination with factor-based comparisons. For example, keyword-based searching may be provided by decision-engine 118 in order to allow first user 104 to identify one or more relevant product modules in which to perform a factor-based comparison. Second user 106 may select one or more keywords to apply an electronic advertising campaign to.

Referring particularly to FIG. 12, web page form 1200 for establishing criteria for conducting an electronic advertising campaign is illustrated in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. Form 1200 may function as a continuation or counterpart of form 1200 in establishing campaign criteria. In particular, form 1200 may be directed to establishing factor-based and results-based criteria for the electronic advertising campaign. Form 1200 may include a plurality of data entry fields for accepting user inputs corresponding to required or optional campaign information and criteria. Form 1200 may also provide directions that guide users 106 to fill out form 1200 by the way of data inputs for establishing or modifying an electronic advertising campaign.

Factor-based and result-based form 1200 may include numerous sections of which the following are exemplary of. For example, form 1200 may include sections 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 directed to establishing criteria based on factors of interest, importance ratings for the factors, weights (e.g., by percentage) for the factors, weights for a first group of factors, weights for a second group of factors, rank of vendor's product in results list, respectively, and any other suitable sections for establishing criteria, as will be readily recognized to one having ordinary skill in the art.

Factors of interest section 1202 may include one or more factors of interest 1214 subject to criteria being established in relation thereto. In at least one embodiment, factors of interest 1214 may be provided in section 1202 by marketing engine 122. Users 106 may establish criteria in relation to factors of interest 1214 automatically provided by marketing engine 122.

Importance rating section 1204 may be provided to user 106 by marketing engine 122 for inputting a minimum level of importance for any factor that would trigger the electronic advertising campaign. For example, by placing an importance rating value in an appropriate data entry field 1216 for a factor, user 106 may set the importance rating floor for that factor.

Individual factor weight section 1206 may be provided to user 106 by marketing engine 122 for inputting a percentage of the overall decision for any factor that would trigger the electronic advertising campaign. For example, by placing a weight value in an appropriate data entry field 1218 for a factor, user 106 may set a percentage floor for that factor.

Either or both of first group weight section 1208 and second group weight section 1210 may be provided to user 106 by marketing engine 122 for inputting a percentage of the overall decision for any group of factors that would trigger the electronic advertising campaign. For example, by selecting more than one factor by placing indicia in the appropriate data entry fields 1224, 1226 and setting a percentage floor by placing a weight value in the appropriate date entry field 1220, 1222, user 106 may set a cumulative percentage floor for the group of selected factors.

Product rank section 1212 may be provided to user 106 by marketing engine 122 for inputting a position for their product within a results list that would trigger the electronic advertising campaign. For example, by placing a rank value in data entry field 1228, user 106 may set a rank floor for triggering the electronic advertising campaign.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of exemplary method 1300 of providing vendor-related data to a client computing device in response to decision-related. Method 1300 may be performed by marketing engine 122 in accordance with the vendor marketing profiles. In method step 1302, marketing engine 122 may receive decision-related data processed by decision engine 118. The decision-related data available from decision engine 118 may include, but is not limited to, factors (including required and optional factors), factor importance ratings, factor weights, raw data (e.g., numerical, descriptive, perspective, subjective and objective), factor definitions, normalized factor definitions, weighted factor definitions, factor scores, product results, product ranks, product scores and the like.

In method step 1304, marketing engine 122 may process the decision-related data in accordance with the vendor marketing profiles. For example, marketing engine 122 may match decision-related data to the vendor marketing profiles in determining what, if any, vendor-related data should be sent to a client computing device of user 104.

In accordance with the vendor marketing profiles for each product module, marketing engine 122 may process (and match) the presence or absence of factors, the presence or absence of groups of factors, the presence or absence of product results, the presence or absence of raw data, the presence or absence of thresholds for factor importance ratings, the presence or absence of thresholds for factor weights, the presence or absence of thresholds for group factor weights, the presence or absence of thresholds for product ranks, the presence or absence of thresholds for product scores, the bounds of factor definitions, the bounds of normalized factor definitions, the bounds of weighted factor definitions and the like.

Marketing engine 122 may also process the vendor marketing profile data to determine the status (e.g., active or inactive) of electronic advertising campaigns, bid-per-click data (e.g., present or maximum) and the like. Similarly, marketing engine 122 can process or provide sales-related data, facilitate sales and provide any other data relevant to sales or which may be desired to facilitate sales, such as advertisements or coupons. Marketing engine 122 may also apply rules governing the running auction in determining which vendor-related data is to be transmitted and in what order of priority it will be displayed on a client computing device of user 104.

In method step 1306, marketing engine 122 may transmit the vendor-related data, as determined, to a client computing device of user 104 via network 110. The vendor-related data may include any of vendor advertisements, vendor locations, vendor ratings, vendor websites links, vendor coupons, text, audio, video, images, database query answers, any combination thereof and like data known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the vendor-related data may be primarily in the form of electronic advertisements providing hypertext links to the websites of users 106 or any other supply or information source, but is not so limited. Moreover, electronic advertisements and any other suitable vendor-related data may appear on any GUI screen (e.g., results pages, navigation windows, etc.). Furthermore, the electronic advertisements may be provided anywhere (above, below, to the side of, etc.) in relation to a list of product results or any other decision-related data on a web page displayed on a client computing device of user 104.

In still another exemplary embodiment, and referring to FIG. 15, examples of decision factors and scoring may be shown. In this example, a number of factors may be used in a decision making process. Here, through interface 1500, a number of exemplary factors 1502 may be shown. Additionally, a bar graph 1504 that may correlate to a percentage of overall decision, or weight, 1506 may be displayed. Finally, a total value 1508 may be represented at a bottom portion of the interface 1500. The factors 1502 and their manner of being displayed in interface 1500 may act as both numerical and graphical representations of a user's importance settings when he or she is engaged in a decision making process.

In the example shown with FIG. 15, a fingerprint, or set of factors, such as decision-related factors, that pertain to a desired user, may be determined, realized or utilized. The fingerprint may be used to compare options from within a predetermined or specific set of decision possibilities or outcomes. For example, because each user of a decision making engine, such as those described in previous examples, may be unique insofar as they may each generate a different mix of factor weights, these uniqueness of each user may result in different rankings of the available options. Thus, through a comparison of the different factors 1502 and weights 1506 of each user's decision making, various dynamics of the decision may be further understood and explored. Thus, any factors and weighting chosen by a user may be stored and compared in any desired manner. For example, the factors and weighting of any number of different users may be compared. Similarly, the factors and weighting of any number of users may be compared with the factors and weighting of one or more experts in a desired field. Additionally, a fingerprint of any user may be saved automatically or may be saved as desired at any time. Any fingerprint data may then be stored in a database or multiple databases for any desired form of comparison.

As shown in the example with respect to FIG. 15, a user may base a purchasing decision on five factors 1502, for example price, gas mileage, reliability, navigational system and exterior appearance. The user may then apply a weight 1506 to each factor and the weight may be shown both in numerical form 1506 as well as graphical form 1504. Additionally, although a bar graph is shown in exemplary FIG. 15, any form of graph or any other representation of weight 1506 may be utilized. In the present example, a user has given a weight of 26.1% to the factor of price, 21.7% to the factor of gas mileage and equal weights of 17.4% to the factors of reliability, navigational system and exterior appearance. The total 1508 is thus shown as 100%. This information, when viewed together, may be saved or presented as a fingerprint of that particular user for the exemplary purchasing decision shown in FIG. 15.

Fingerprint data, or saved user data regarding a purchasing decision, may then be used in any of a variety of manners. For example, different users may view fingerprint data, perhaps anonymously, of other users who may have engaged in a similar purchasing decision. Also, different exemplary fingerprints may be shown to provide a user with the various options and alternatives that may be displayed as the weighted factors are varied. Further, a database of fingerprint data from any number of users of a decision making engine may be collected and used in any further manner desired. In one exemplary, various demographics may be viewed and polled for their desired weighted factors in a purchasing decision.

One exemplary manner of viewing demographic data, as shown in exemplary FIG. 16, could be querying a database to determine a list of average weighted factors for purchasing an automobile for any desired characteristics, such as asking what predetermined sex of users of the decision making engine, who live in a predetermined geographical area, have a predetermined income and have any other predetermined characteristics. As shown on interface 1600, the factors 1602 of such users may be shown to apply weights 1606 (and as shown in graphs 1604) may represent the combined or averaged fingerprint data for any number of users fulfilling any desired criteria.

In another exemplary embodiment, and as shown in exemplary FIG. 1700, a user may be presented with or a decision making engine may otherwise employ a default set of fingerprint data or default set of weighted characteristics. In these exemplary embodiments, any default data may be based on a predetermined or historical interpretation of data. Additionally, any number of factors may be utilized in the default data, for example the use of ten factors and their respective default weights. Further, the amount of default fingerprint data may be changed or varied in any desired manner. For example, if a user is presented with a list of default data, which could correspond to the data shown in interface 1700, the user may be able to add or remove any number of factors so as to refine the list of default fingerprint data to a greater or smaller number of factors. This can assist a user who may or may not know a predetermined amount to weight a factor in a decision or purchase they may be planning to make. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the user may decide that a factor such as exterior appearance in the list of default factors 1702 is not important to that user. This factor may then be removed, along with its corresponding weight 1706. Thus, a user may be presented with a new or varied list of choices as based on the altered factors. Similarly, any new factor not shown on the list of factors 1702 may be added as desired.

In another exemplary embodiment, and as shown with respect to FIGS. 18 and 19, after fingerprint or any other data is saved for a user, the user may input any desired product data or datasets into a decision engine. The decision engine may then provide the user with a score based upon the user's desired factors 1802 and weights 1806 (or importance settings). In the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, an automobile purchase decision may be contemplated by the user. The factors 1802 and weights 1806 may then be inputted per the user's fingerprint data and corresponding graphs 1804 may be shown. A decision engine may then process this data and, based upon any available automobile, provide the user with scores and a best option.

As shown in exemplary interface 1900 of FIG. 19, a series of scores and a best choice may be shown. Based upon the information shown amongst the fingerprint data of exemplary FIG. 18, two or more choices, in this case automobiles, may be returned to the user with their respective scores. Similar to the comparison methodology discussed previously, a first automobile may show scores 1902 based upon an equal weighting of all available factors. The first automobile may then show scores 1904 based upon the weighted factors from the user's fingerprint. Similarly, weighted and unweighted scores 1906 and 1908, respectively, may be shown for a second automobile choice. These scores may then be totaled in a bottom portion 1910 of interface 1900. At a top portion of interface 1900, the two weighted scores using the user's fingerprint of data may then be shown 1912. The automobile, or any other product or decision choice otherwise, with the highest score with respect to the fingerprint data weighted values of the user may then be highlighted in any desired manner, for example by displaying the word “WINNER” proximate to the highest score.

In a further example of the use of fingerprint data, as shown in exemplary FIGS. 20 and 21, different factors 2002 and weights 2006 (as further shown with graph 2004) may be saved or otherwise known as the fingerprint data of a user. The decision making engine may then process the data and provide the user with the output scores 2102 through 2108, the totals 2110 and the display scores 2112 at a top portion of interface 2100 so as to clearly show the product choice with the highest score.

In still another exemplary embodiment, any of the fingerprint data that may be stored for a user in the examples related to FIGS. 16-21 may be utilized on a mobile device, such as a mobile computing device. In this example, a user may be at a location, such as a store, that sells products that a user may be interested in purchasing. There may, however, be a variety of products from which the user may desire to choose. Thus, a user may input data regarding the physical product in any desired manner into their mobile device. Exemplary manners of inputting data may include typing a name, typing a serial number, photographing a product, photographing a serial number, scanning a barcode, photographing a barcode or any other manner of inputting data desired. The user's mobile device may then be connected with a decision making engine similar to any of the exemplary embodiments described herein. Additionally, the mobile device may be connected to the decision making engine in any desired fashion. Using fingerprint or any other user-related input data, the decision making engine may process the data inputted by the user into the mobile device. The processing of the data may allow for the user to receive a number of scores, for example weighted scores as described herein, on their mobile device. The user may then be able to purchase an item based upon the scores provided to them.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a communications network 2200 for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communications network 2200 includes a collection of communication links interconnecting a plurality of nodes, such as communication units 2215 a-b, access points 2220 a-b, intermediate nodes 2230 a-n, connector engine 2205, marketing database/engine 2235, and decision engine 2210. These interconnected nodes communicate with each other by exchanging data packets according to a pre-defined set of network protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A network protocol as used herein is a formal set of rules that define how data is exchanged between nodes in a communications network.

As described in more detail herein, the connector engine 2205 may be employed to improve, customize, or otherwise modify a marketing campaign by connecting the decision engine 2210 to the marketing database/engine 2235 to provide a user of communication devices 2215 a-b with data associated with a marketing campaign (e.g., vendor-related data). Before describing the connector engine 2205 in more detail, a description of the communications network 2200 is provided. It should be understood that the connector engine 2205 may be employed in other network topologies or applications, such as single processor machines.

Communication units 2215 a-b may be conventional communication units, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) (e.g., wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and smart phones), IP telephones, and the like, that convert information (e.g., data) into signals that are transmitted to the access points 2220 a-b via wireless links.

The access point 2220 a contains logic that enable the communication units 2215 a-b to transmit the information (e.g., data) to the decision engine 2210 via the network 2250. For example, the access point 2220 a may include circuitry configured to receive signals (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals), from the communication units 2215 a-b, that carry the information via wireless links. Once the signals are received, the access point 2220 a converts the signals into data packets according to the pre-defined set of network protocols. The access point 2220 a then transmits the data packets to the network 2250 via gateway 2222 a. The access point 2220 b transmit data/information is a similar manner as the access point 2220 b. In addition, the access points 2220 a-b convert data packets received from the network 2250 into signals and transmit the signals to the communication units 2215 a-b and the decision engine 2210 via wireless links.

Examples of access points 2220 a-b that may be used with the present invention include certain Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 compliant access points as well as certain cellular telephone wireless systems that support the transmission of traffic (e.g., data traffic). Other forms of access points now known or hereafter developed are contemplated to be operable with embodiments of the present disclosure.

The network 2250 receives the data packets from the gateways 2222 a-b and transmits the data packets to a destination via the intermediate nodes 2230 a-n. The destination can be defined by a destination address. In an example, the destination address is located in a header of the data packets. The intermediate nodes 2230 a-n are typically conventional intermediate nodes, such as routers, that are configured to implement a communications protocol such as an Internet Protocol (IP) or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network 2250.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present disclosure may be adopted to work with fixed as well as mobile devices that are able to communicate with a communication network. Examples of fixed devices include telephone units, personal computers, and the like that are wired to a network.

As illustrated, the connector engine 2205 may be located at an intermediate point of the network 2250 between the communication units 2215 a-b and decision engine 2210. Optionally, the connector engine 2205 may be logically or physically coupled directly to the communication units 2215 a-b and/or decision engine 2210.

The connector engine 2205 employs an interface (as illustrated in FIG. 23) which enables vendors (associated with marketing engines 2235) to provide marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data such as advertisements, coupons, and discounts) to users of the communication units 2215 a-b in communication with the decision engine 2210. In some examples and as described above in reference to FIGS. 6-10, the users of the communication units 2215 a-b access the decision engine 2210 in order to compare decision options, for example, products/services over the Internet. For instance, the user may wish to purchase a camera (i.e., a product) and may utilize the decision engine 2210 to assist with identifying cameras and ultimately deciding which specific type of camera to purchase, such as a Canon® camera or a Nikon® camera (i.e., decision options). In such a scenario, vendors, whose products are not associated with the decision engine 2210, may wish to provide marketing data to the users in response to at least one of the following: the user interaction with the decision engine 2210 or results of the decision engine 2210.

For instance, the user may utilize the decision engine 2210 to make a decision to purchase a camera by utilizing data entry interface page 200 (as illustrated in FIG. 3). In this example, the decision engine provides the user with factors on the page 200 that users generally consider when purchasing a camera (e.g., price, lens type, and zoom capabilities). Based on a user's input with respect to each of the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) (e.g., input to the data fields 234, 236 (see FIG. 3) and application of importance values 245 (see FIG. 3) to each factor), the decision engine 2210 provides a selection of cameras (e.g., decision options) to the user to consider in making a decision to purchase a camera (see FIG. 8-9).

In some scenarios, the decision engine 2210 may not present a camera associated with a vendor as a decision option (i.e., a result of the decision engine). In this case, the vendor may wish to provide the user with marketing data associated with a camera sold by the vendor. In addition, the vendor may wish provide the user with marketing data associated with a camera that best fits the user's input with respect to the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) (i.e., the user interaction with the decision engine 2210).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector engine 2205 monitors the network 2250 for communications between a user of one of the communication devices 2215 a-b and decision engine 2210 over network 2250. The connector engine 2205 may monitor SIP messages (or other type of messages) that indicate whether the user is attempting initiate a communications session with a server known to employ a decision engine 2210. For instance, the connector engine 2205 may compare destination addresses associated with the messages to a lookup table that includes servers known to be hosting decision engines. If the destination address matches an address associated with such a server, the connector engine 2205 determines that the user is initiating a communication session between the user and a decision engine.

Once the connector engine 2205 determines that a communication session is occurring between a user and a decision engine, the connector engine monitors and retrieves communication data between the user's communication device 2215 a-b and the decision engine 2210. As stated above, a user may be utilizing the decision engine 2210 because the user wants the decision engine to provide decision options associated with the user's desire to purchase a good/service (e.g., a camera). The decision engine 2210, as stated above, may provide a user interface (as illustrated in FIGS. 3-9) for the user by which the user may interact with in order to facilitate the decision engine 2210 to provide decision options to the user (e.g., a set of specific cameras for which the user to consider to purchase). In an example and as stated herein, the decision engine 2210 may provide a user with a plurality of relevant factors associated with a product/service of interest. In this example, the user may be interested in cameras. Thus, the decision engine may provide a list of factors 232 (see FIG. 3) (e.g., lens, price, weight, digital information, and zoom) to the user as described above in reference to FIGS. 3-4. At the end of the user's interaction with the decision engine 2210, the decision engine 2210 outputs at least one decision option (e.g., a suggested camera to purchase) to the user.

The connector engine 2205 receives data associated with the user's interaction with the decision engine 2210. For example, the connector engine 2210 receives the user inputs with respect to each of the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) In addition, the connector engine 2210 receives the importance values provided by the user with respect to each factor 232 (see FIG. 3) and the results output by the decision engine 2210 (e.g., decision options (see FIGS. 6-9).

In response to receiving the data associated with the user's interaction with the decision engine 2210, the connector engine 2210 retrieves marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) from the marketing database/engine 2235. In an example, the connector engine 2210 may retrieve the marketing data by submitting a request to the marketing database/engine 2235 for marketing data that corresponds to the user's interaction with the decision engine 2210. In response to the request, the marketing database/engine 2235 returns relevant marketing data to the connector engine 2210. The marketing database/engine 2235 may be a central server including a plurality of marketing databases/engines corresponding to a plurality of vendors. Alternatively, the connector engine 2210 may be coupled to a plurality of marketing database/engines, each database/engine corresponding to a single vendor. In this example, the vendors may be a manufacturer of cameras such as Nikon, Canon, and Kodak®. The vendors may also be retailers that sell said cameras such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sears. Alternatively, the vendors may be any entity that would like to provide marketing data in response to the user's desire to purchase a camera (e.g., airlines and travel booking entities).

In order to determine which vendors offer products or services that are responsive to a user's desires, and, thus, the marketing databases/engines from which to retrieve marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data), the connector engine 2205 matches at least one factor of the decision-related data with vendor factors associated with the marketing data. The connector engine 2205 then obtains the marketing data associated with at least a subset of the matched vendor factors. In response to selecting the marketing data, the connector 2205 processes the received data associated with the user's interaction with the decision engine 2210 (e.g., modified decision-related data (factors)) and modifies the vendor factors associated with the selected marketing data. The connector engine 2205 then selects a subset of the marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) based on the modified vendor factors.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a connector engine 2305 that includes an interface 2301, presenting module 2303, selection module 2305, ranking module 2311, and retrieving module 2307.

The interface 2301, which is provided on one or more processors, is configured to receive data associated with a user's interaction via communication devices 2215 a-b with the decision engine 2210. The interface 2301 is also configured to pass the data to one of the aforementioned modules based on the type of data received. For example, the data received may be user inputs to the decision engine, modified decision-related data (e.g., factors as modified by the user inputs), and decision options (e.g., output of the decision engine 2210). In response to receiving the data, the interface 2301 passes the received data to one of the aforementioned modules as described in more detail herein.

The interface 2301 provides the received data (e.g., user inputs and modified decision-related data) to the retrieving module 2307, which is also provided on the one or more processors. The retrieving module 2307 is configured to retrieve marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) from a marketing database/engine based on one or more properties of the modified decision-related data (e.g., factors, values associated with the factors based on user inputs, and importance values assigned to the factors based on user inputs).

In an example, the retrieving module 2307 matches at least one factor 232 (see FIGS. 3-4) to at least one vendor factor associated with vendor-related data (e.g., marketing data). A vendor associates vendor factors with the vendor-related data such that an engine (e.g., the connector engine 2305) can utilize the vendor factors as criteria for selecting the vendor-related data. The retrieving module 2307 then obtains the marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) associated with at least a subset of the matched vendor factors from a marketing database. The matched vendor factors are the same as the factors used by the decision engine as criteria for selecting a decision option (e.g., a product/service of interest to a user). However, in this instance the vendor factors, as stated above, are criteria for selecting the vendor-related data rather than criteria for selecting a decision option.

The retrieving module may select a marketing database that corresponds to a vendor based on whether or not goods and/or services provided by the vendor correspond to the factors used by the decision engine as criteria in selecting a decision option. The retrieving module 2307 then passes the retrieved vendor-related data, modified decision-related data, and the matched vendor factors to the selection module 2309.

The selection module 2309 is provided on the one or more processors. The selection module 2309 is configured to process the modified decision-related data to modify the matched vendor factors. The matched vendor factors are used as criteria by the selection module 2309 for selecting marketing data. For instance, the selection module 2309 applies the user inputs to the matched vendor factors. The selection module 2309 then applies the user inputs to the matched vendor factors. Once the selection module 2309 modifies the matched vendor factors, the selection module 2309 selects a subset of the marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) based on the matched vendor factors as modified by the user inputs.

The selection module 2309 includes a ranking module 2311 that is configured to rank the selected marketing data by applying weighted factor scores associated with the decision-related data to the matched vendor factors. Based on the ranks, the selection module 2309 selects a subset of the marketing data. In addition, the selection module 2309 may further refine the selection of the subset of the marketing data based on an advertisement subscription of a vendor associated with the marketing data. The selection module 2309 may then provide the selected subset of marketing data to the presenting module 2303.

The presenting module 2309 is configured to provide the marketing data along with the output of the decision engine in a format (e.g., size, corresponding graphics, layout, etc) based on a type of communication device the user is utilizing to communicate over the network 2250. For instance, a laptop/desktop computer may have more resources (e.g., larger displays, memory, processing power) for displaying the decision options and marketing data than, for example, a mobile phone. In an example, the presenting module 2309 determines a type of communication device the user is utilizing based on communication device information received from the interface 2301.

Such communication device information may include information that indicates the resources available to a communications device. For example, the operating system or browser that the communication device is employing to communicate over the network 2250 can provide an indication to the presenting module 2309 regarding the resources available to the user for displaying the marketing data along with the output of the decision engine (e.g., decision options). The presenting module 2303 may extract the information from communication messages (provided by the interface 2301) sent by the user over the network 2250. Alternatively, the presenting module may determine such information based on a format of the decision options output by the decision engine. Based on such communication device information, the presenting module 2309 provides the vendor-related data and decision options in a format that is optimal for displaying such data on the user's communication device.

The interface 2301 then receives the format information from the presenting module 2303 and selected marketing data from the selection module 2309 and i) provides the selected marketing data (in a format determined by the presenting module 2303) to the user, ii) provides the marketing data to a marketing engine as a recommendation of marketing data to provide to the user, and/or iii) triggers the marketing engine to provide the selected marketing data to the user. For example, the interface 2301 may trigger the marketing engine to provide the selected marketing data.

FIGS. 24A-C are graphs illustrating decision logic utilized by a connector engine. As stated above, the connector engine receives modified decision-related data from a decision engine (see FIG. 3). In an example, the modified decision-related data may be factors 232 (see FIG. 3) used as criteria in selecting decision options by the decision engine. The factors 232 (see FIG. 3) may be modified (i.e., modified decision-related data) with importance values 246 (see FIG. 3) (e.g., weights) corresponding to each of the factors 232 (see FIG. 3). As illustrated, the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) are associated with a user's desire to purchase a product (e.g., a camera). The decision engine may use the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) to return at least one decision option (see FIG. 7-9) to a user. It should be known that many other factors/combination of factors may also be utilized by the decision engine.

The connector engine then retrieves marketing data (e.g., vendor-related data) 2410 from a marketing database/engine. In the example illustrated in FIG. 24A, the marketing database/engine stores a table 2400 a of vendor factors 2426 a and vendor-related data 2410 a. For each of the vendor factors 2426, the table 2400 a includes un-weighted vendor factor scores 2434 corresponding to each of the vendor Options A-D 2410 a (e.g., vendor-related data). The un-weighted factor scores 2434 may be subjective scores assigned by each vendor based on a marketing campaign initiated by the vendor.

In order to retrieve the marketing data, the connector engine matches the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) with vendor factors 2426 associated with vendor-related data 2410 a. Based on the results of the matching, the connector engine obtains vendor-related data 2410 b (see FIG. 24B). For instance, the factors 232 (see FIG. 3) may only match with a subset of the vendor factors 2426 a. The connector engine then retrieves, as illustrated in FIG. 24B, the matched vendor factors 2426 b, the vendor-related data 2410 b associated with at least a subset of the matched vendor factors 2426 b, and the corresponding un-weighted vendor factor scores 2434 b.

FIG. 24B illustrates an example table 2400 b associated with Nikon Advertisements generated by the connector engine in response to retrieving the aforementioned data and receiving the modified decision-related data (see FIG. 3). In addition, the connector engine applies the user inputs (i.e., importance values 246 (see FIG. 3)) to the matched vendor factors 2426 b to generate weighted vendor factors 2425. The weighted vendor factors 2425 have associated importance values 2427. As illustrated, the vendor-related data 2410 b and associated un-weighted vendor factor scores 2434 are associated with a single vendor (e.g., Nikon). It should be noted that the connector engine may be performing a similar analysis using a subset of the matched vendor factors 2426 b with respect to at least one other vendor (e.g., Canon) of a plurality of vendors. In order to select vendor-related data best suited for the user among the plurality of vendors, the connector must normalize the un-weighted factor scores 2434 b. The connector may utilize any known method of normalization.

Once the un-weighted vendor factor scores 2434 b are normalized, the connector engine applies weights to each of the normalized un-weighted vendor factor scores. In the current example, the connector engine multiplies the importance values 2427 associated with the weighted vendor factors 2425 by the normalized un-weighted factor scores to obtain weighted factor scores 2435 as illustrated in FIG. 24C. In response to calculating the weighted scores 2435, now referring to FIG. 24C, the connector engine calculates a total score 2430 corresponding to each item of the vendor-related data 2410 b. For instance, the connector engine calculates the total score 2430 for each item, in this illustrated example, by summing the weighted factor scores for each item of the vendor-related data 2410 b. Subsequently, the connector engine provides a ranking 2415 to each item of the vendor-related data 2410 based the calculated total scores 2430. In this example, the connector engine assigns the item of the vendor-related data 2410 that has the highest total score with the highest rank.

The connector engine may then select a subset of the vendor-related data 2410 b based on respective rankings. In addition, referring to FIG. 24D, the connector engine may compare the total scores for all items of vendor-related data 2410 for one vendor with respect the total scores for all items of vendor-related data with other vendors. Based on the comparison, the connector engine computes a global ranking score 2416 c for all vendor-related data associated with a subset of the matched vendor factors 2426 b. For example, the table 2401 a is associated with the vendor-related data 2411 a corresponding to Vendor A. Using the total scores 2431 a, the connector engine calculates rankings 2416 a with respect to the vendor-related data 2411 a. In addition, the table 2401 b is associated with the vendor-related data 2411 b corresponding to Vendor B. Using the total scores 2431 b, the connector engine calculates rankings 2416 b with respect to the vendor-related data 2411 a. In one example, the connector engine may create a global ranking table 2402 by comparing the total score 2431 a from the table 2401 a to the total score 2431 b from the table 2401 b. Based on the comparison, the connector engine creates a global rank 2416 c of the vendor-related data 2411 a-b.

In another embodiment, the connector engine may create a global ranking table using information associated with an advertisement/marketing subscription service subscribed to by each of the vendors. For example, the connector engine may add a subscription based tier of ranking to the global ranking table 2402. For instance, the connector engine may select a threshold number (e.g., top ten) of the highest ranked ads from the global ranking table 2402. The connector engine may then re-rank the selected ads based on an amount the vendor is willing to pay in response a user's interaction with the vendor's ads (e.g., pay-per-click). In another example, the connector may rank and select the ads associated with a vendor based on an amount the vendor is willing to pay in response a user's interaction with the vendor's ads (e.g., pay-per-click).

In an embodiment, a vendor may provide the connector engine with rules. The connector engine uses the rules to select a subset of the vendor-related data. In an example, a vendor may only wish the connector to select vendor-related data associated with the vendor of the data received a score above a certain threshold or a global ranking above a certain threshold.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of an example method 2500 for providing vendor-related data. At 2505, the method 2500 begins. At 2510, a connector engine (e.g., connector engine 2205 of FIG. 22) receives modified decision-related data from a decision engine (e.g., decision engine 2210 of FIG. 22). The received data is associated with a user's interaction with the decision engine during a communications session between the user and the decision engine. The modified decision-related data is generated by a decision engine by applying at least one user input to decision-related data. In particular, the decision-related data is at least one factor used as a criterion in selecting at least one decision option. The at least one decision option is an output of the decision engine in response to the application of the at least one user input to the decision-related data. In an example, the at least one decision option is product and/or service related data. In another example, the modified decision-related data includes at least one factor having a weighted score, where the weighted score of the at least one factor is determined by at least an importance assigned to the at least one factor by the user.

At 2515, the connector engine retrieves vendor-related data from a marketing database (e.g., marketing database 2235 of FIG. 22) based on one or more properties of the modified decision-related data. In particular, the connector engine matches the at least one factor to at least one vendor factor associated with the vendor-related data and obtains vendor-related data associated with at least a subset of the at least one vendor factor. The at least one vendor factor is a criterion used in selecting the vendor-related data. In an example, the connector engine retrieves the vendor-related data by selecting the marketing database corresponding to a vendor and retrieving the vendor-related data from the selected at least one marketing database. In another example, the connector engine may select the marketing database corresponding to the vendor by selecting the vendor based on whether or not goods and/or services provided by the vendor correspond to the decision-related data.

The connector engine, at 2520, processes the modified decision-related data to modify the at least one vendor factor. In addition, the connector engine may rank the vendor-related data by applying weighted scores associated with the decision-related data to the vendor factors. At 2525, the connector engine selects a subset of the vendor-related data based on the modified at least one vendor factor. In an example, the connector engine may select the vendor-related data by selecting a subset of the ranked vendor-related data. In another example, the connector engine may select the subset of ranked vendor-related data by selecting the subset based on an advertisement subscription of a vendor associated with the vendor-related data. At 2426, the connector engine determines if a user's communication session with the decision engine has terminated or is about to terminate. If the communication session is still active and the connector engine may repeat the aforementioned actions.

At 2530, if the connector engine determines that the communication session has terminated or is about to terminate, the connector engine may end processing by outputting the selected subset of the vendor-related data based on the modified at least one vendor factor. For instance, the connector engine may i) providing the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user, ii) trigger a marketing engine associated with the marketing database to provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to the user, and/or iii) provide the selected subset of vendor-related data to a marketing engine associated with the marketing database as a recommendation of vendor-related data to provide to the user, where the marketing engine utilizes the recommendation to provide vendor-related data to the user.

In another embodiment, the connector engine may also add an additional tier of ranking that includes factors provided by the connector engine itself. In particular, the connector engine may apply a subscription service factor (e.g., an amount the vendor is willing to pay-per-click). For example, the connector engine may add rank each item of the vendor-related data based on a subscription service elected by the vendor for the specific items (e.g., an amount the vendor is willing to pay-per-click).

Search engines provide users with an ability to educate themselves about products of interest to the user. The search engines provide results to the user to consider, to the extent such information is deemed relevant to the user-inputted search queries and is available. Thus, search engines often aid users in making informed decisions regarding purchasing products of interest. Nevertheless, the actual comparison of the products and decision-making processes are left to the users as this is beyond the intended purposes of a search engine.

For instance, search engine firms rely on search advertising as a major source of income. The fact that internet users often use search engines with an eye towards purchasing products makes them particularly appealing to advertisers who are attempting to reach their target consumer audience. Since internet search engines rely on keywords in providing results, it follows that search advertising is also sold and delivered on the basis of keywords.

Search engine firms conduct running auctions to sell advertising space according to the bids received for keywords. Higher demand keywords command higher bid prices. Typically, advertisers are charged based on click-throughs and not merely the display of their advertisements in response to the keywords. Search engines thus typically position advertisements on the search result pages based, at least in part, on click-through rates (“CTRs”). The order of the results of a key word search is in some cases based on an amount an advertiser has paid rather than based on a relevancy of each of the search results corresponding to the user of the search engine. Thus, such search engines may not display results of a key word search in an order corresponding to the user's interest.

Faceted search tools, on the other hand, can take into account a relevancy associated with the user when displaying results of a search. Faceted search tools utilize a faceted classification system to organize data associated with goods/services the internet users are considering for purchase. Faceted classification systems classify goods/services based on attributes (e.g., factors) of the goods/services. The internet users are then able to filter through data sets of goods/services using the facets. Such faceted search tools are draconian because, when a user selects a facet, the faceted search tool cuts a subset of data from a data set. Faceted search tools cut data that does not satisfy the selected facet. The binary nature of faceted searches is a disadvantage because the searches eliminate the cut data from any subsequent search results. However, the data set may still be relevant to a user's search. For example, a user of a faceted search may not know exactly what the user is searching for when the user is querying a database using a faceted search tool.

The user can be, for example, searching for laptop computers within a certain price range (e.g., laptops costing less than $1,000). When searching, the user may select a facet associated with ‘Price’ of laptops that includes laptops costing less than $1,000. The faceted search then provides the user with a result set only consisting of laptops costing less than $1,000. The user may then study the result set of laptops and make a decision to purchase one or more of the laptops in the result set. However, in some situations, the user may have made a decision to purchase a laptop costing more than $1,000 if the user had been presented with laptops costing more than $1,000. For instance, there may have been a laptop that cost $1,100 with additional features the user may believe is worth the extra $100. Faceted search, however, fails to provide a result set outside a selected parameter chosen by the user. In this example, the faceted search cannot present the user with any laptops costing more than $1,000. Thus, the user is not presented with any laptop that costs more than $1,000. Further, the user is not presented with laptops that are marginally more expensive (e.g., laptops costing $1,001).

Such faceted search tools are not desirable because the faceted search tools omit laptops that might have other factor values that are more desirable to the user. For example, although the user selected a facet of $1,000 and selects/purchases a laptop in the $1,000 facet, the user may have made a decision to purchase a $1,100 laptop if, in one example, the additional $100 allowed the user to purchase a laptop with a better CPU type and greater memory, thereby extending the useful life of the laptop. However, if the user is using a faceted search tool and selects a facet corresponding to laptops costing less than $1,000, the user is not presented with the $1,100 laptop. Thus, a vendor using such a faceted search tools is potentially missing an opportunity for a larger sale.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a user with a result set of decision options based on a user's preference (e.g., likelihood that the user will purchase/select a decision option) without reducing the result set of decision options. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure enable a user to compare a full set of decision options, where the full set of decision options is presented to the user in an order relevant to the user. In some embodiments, the full set of decision options is presented to the user throughout a query process where a user selects additional factors.

FIG. 26 is a graphical user interface (GUI) 2600 of a lossless query engine (e.g., lossless query engine 2800 of FIG. 28) by which a user is able to compare decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the GUI 2600 is an interface by which a user can compare tablet computers in order to make a decision to purchase one or more tablet computers. The GUI 2600 can be a webpage corresponding to a vendor of tablet computers (e.g., Best Buy® or Amazon®). The GUI 2600 can be an interface to a database storing data corresponding to goods/services of a vendor (e.g., tablet computers). Although the GUI 2600 is used to compare different tablet computers, it should be noted that the GUI 2600 can be utilized to compare any type of decision option (e.g., good/service). Goods/services can be, for example, financial instruments (e.g., mutual funds, annuities), consumer goods, legal services, vacation packages, vehicles, and real estate (e.g., home purchases, apartment rentals). The GUI 2600 includes factors 2605 a-n (e.g., attributes/metrics) corresponding to tablet computers. For example, the factors 2605 a-n correspond to price, display size, front webcam resolution, second webcam resolution, and CPU type. A user considers each of the factors 2605 a-n when making a decision to purchase a tablet computer. It should be noted that additional or alternative factors can be presented or selected by the user when making a decision to purchase a tablet computer. For example, a user may wish to select a tablet computer based on factors such as memory, operating system, available applications, and available accessories.

In addition, the GUI 2600 includes user preference indicators 2615 a-n. Each of the user preference indicators 2615 a-n corresponds to a respective factor 2605 a-n. The user preference indicators 2615 a-n allow a user to input an importance of each of the factors 2605 a-n to the user when making a decision to purchase a tablet computer. In this example embodiment, the user preference indicators 2615 a-n are sliders. For example, if a factor is not important to a user, the user can slide the slider to the left-most position. If a factor is extremely important, the user can slide the slider to the right-most position. The user can also slide the slider to any position in between the left-most position and the right-most position. In an example embodiment, the user can remove a subset of the factors 2605 a-n from consideration. For example, the GUI 2600 can include selectable checkboxes (e.g., selectable checkboxes 2717 of FIG. 27) by which a user can remove a subset of the factors 2605 a-n from consideration in a decision to select/purchase a tablet computer.

It should be noted, that the user preference indicators 2615 a-n can be in any form that enables a user to provide an indication of an importance of a factor (e.g., relative user importance) in the user's decision to purchase a tablet computer. For example, the user preference indicators 2615 a-n can be a rotary dial or other display feature (e.g., icon, sensory feature). In one example, the user preference indicators 2615 a-n can be a range of values from, for example, 1-10. In another example, the user preference indicators 2615 a-n can be a rating scale (i.e., a star rating scale that has a range of, for example, 1-5 stars).

The lossless query engine does not reduce the data set of decision options provided to the user. The lossless query engine provides the user, via the GUI 2600, with an ordered ranking of the data set of decision options based on the factors 2605 a-n selected and the relative user importance of each of the factors 2605 a-n. The ordering of the displayed data set is always from a best ranking to a worst ranking such that any adjustment to relative user importance by a user is immediately reflected in a new displayed and ranked data set result.

A lossless query engine associated with a vendor, presents a user with the GUI 2600. In order to present the user with the GUI 2600, the lossless query first accesses a data store (e.g., storage device 3230 of FIG. 32) of decision options (e.g., decision options 2620 a-n). The decision options can be stored in the data store using a database management system (e.g., database 3235 of FIG. 32). As stated herein, each decision option has a plurality of factors/attributes that define each decision option. For example, tablet computers have factors/attributes corresponding price, display size, front webcam resolution, second webcam resolution, and CPU type. The database management system can organize the decision options based on the plurality of factors/attributes that define each decision option. The lossless query engine determines the plurality of factors for each decision option by accessing the database management system and querying the database for the plurality of factors corresponding to each decision option.

In an example, a user who wishes to purchase tablet computers navigates to GUI 2600 (e.g., a webpage of a vendor) that provides the user with decision options related to tablet computers. The lossless query engine presents, via GUI 2600, the user with a set of factors 2605 a-n corresponding to tablet computers by accessing a database as described above. For each factor of the set of factors, the lossless query engine, via the GUI 2600, presents the user with user preference indicators 2615 a-n by which a user is able to input an importance of each factor in the user's decision to select or purchase a tablet computer.

In response to the user inputting an importance for at least one of the user preference indicators 2615 a-n, the lossless query engine presents the user with a lossless set of decision options (e.g., tablet computers). In an example, the lossless query engine presents via the GUI 2600 the full set of decision options 2620 a-n (e.g., tablet computers) to the user in a ranked format based on the user inputs.

For instance, in response to receiving the user inputs, the lossless query engine ranks the set of decision options (e.g., table computers) in an order based on the user's input of importance for each of the user preference indicators 2615 a-n.

In particular, the lossless query engine normalizes values of each of the factors 2605 a-n. In order to normalize the values of each of the factors, the lossless query engine determines a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors 2605 a-n. In addition, the loss query engine determines a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors 2605 a-n. Using the determined minimum and maximum values, the lossless query engine then applies a scaling transform (e.g., linear scaling transform, quadratic scaling transform, and statistical methods) to each value of the plurality of factors 2605 a-n in order to generate the normalized values for each factor.

For example, the lossless query engine analyzes the value ranges for each of the factors 2605 a-n. Based on the analysis, the lossless query engine determines the range of values for each factor, that is, identifies the minimum and maximum value of each factor. For instance, for the factor “Price” 2605 a, the lowest price for a tablet computer in a data set is $200 and the highest price for a tablet computer in the data set is $600; for the factor “Display Size” 2605 b, the smallest display is 5″ while the largest display is 7″; for the factors 2605 c-d “Webcam Resolutions,” the lowest resolution is 1 MP and the largest resolution is 3 MP; and for the factor CPU power each tablet receives a subjective score based on a reviewer's assessment of the processor's computing power. For instance, a reviewer can assess each tablet's CPU for responsiveness to input, speed of rendering browser windows, etc. The lossless query engine identifies that the tablet computers in the data set have CPU ratings of between 3 and 8. In other examples, the lossless query engine can determine the ranges of values based on other attributes of CPU types such as, for example, power consumption, graphics capabilities, or CPU clock speed. In another example, a subjective score could be generated from customer reviews, applied by the lossless query user, or an administrator of the lossless query engine. In this example, customer reviews include a rating in the range of one to five stars.

Having determined the range of values for each factor, the lossless query engine then normalizes the values of each factor to a consistent range. Using, for example, a linear scaling transform, the normalized values are in a range between 0 and 2600. Thus, the normalized values for each of the factors are between 0 and 2600. For example, a linear scaling transform equation applied to the factor Price 2605 a is as follows: Normalized Value for Price=((Price of decision Option−Least Desirable Price Factor Value)/(Most Desirable Price Factor Value−Least Desirable Price Factor Value))*2600. A similar scaling transform is also applied to the factors 2605 b-n, where the each value of a factor is normalized to a value of 0 to 2600.

The lossless query then determines a user preference value for each of the user preference indicators 2615 a-n received from the user. As illustrated, the GUI 2600 utilizes sliders for the user preference indicators. In this example, the left-most position of the slider equates to a value of 0, while the right-most position equates to a value of 10. Using such a scale, the user preference value for preference indicator 2615 a is 5; for 2615 b the user preference value is 5; for 2615 c the value is 0; for 2615-d the value is 8; for 2615-e the value is 8; and for 2615 n the value is 2.

The lossless query engine then calculates a weighted score for each of the factors 2605 a-n. For instance, the weighted score is a mathematical function of the normalized values of each of the factors and the user's input of importance for each of the user preference indicators 2615 a-n. In this example, the weighted score is a sum of the multiplication of the normalized values and the user's input of importance.

Table 1 below illustrates an example of calculating weighted scores for each of the factors 2605 a-n for decision option 2620 a. The normalized values in Table 1 are determined by the lossless query using the linear scaling transform as describe above. For example, for decision option 2620 a, the price is $400. The lossless query engine applies the equation: Normalized Value for Price=((Price of decision Option−Least Desirable Price Factor Value)/(Most Desirable Price Factor Value−Least Desirable Price Value))*2600, where, in this example, the Least Desirable Price Value=$600 and the Most Desirable Price Value=$200. The Least Desirable Price Value and Most Desirable Price Value are set as described above because, in this example, it is assumed that users prefer tablet computers that have a low cost. Thus, the normalized value for Price for Decision Option 2620 a=((400−600)/(200−600))*2600=50. The linear scaling transform equations determined above are applied to each respective factor values for the decision options 2620 a-n. It should be noted that other embodiments can use alternative scaling transforms (e.g., quadratic, geometric).

The importance values in Table 1 are received by a user interacting with the user preference indicators 2615 a-n. In this example, the left-most position of the slider equates to a value of 0, while the right-most position equates to a value of 10. Using such a scale, the user preference value for preference indicator 2615 a is 5; for 2615 b the user preference value is 5; for 2615 c the value is 0; for 2615 d the value is 8; for 2615-e the value is 8 and for 2615 n the value is 2. The weighted score, in Table 1, for each factor is a multiplication of the normalized value and the importance value. However, it should be noted that any other known mathematical functions can be applied to the normalized value and the importance value to calculate a weighted score for each factor.

TABLE 1 Normalized Weighted Factor(s) Value Importance Value Score Price 50 5 250 Display Size 50 5 250 F. Webcam Resolution 100 0 0 2^(nd) Webcam Resolution 0 8 0 CPU Power 80 8 640 User reviews 0 2 0

The lossless query engine then calculates a user preference score for each of the decision options in the set of decision options (e.g., tablet computers). For example, the lossless query engine sums the weighted scores for each factor of a corresponding decision option to obtain the user preference score. Table 2 illustrates an example of how the lossless query engine calculates the user preference score for the decision options 2620 a-n.

TABLE 2 Option Option Option Option Option Option Option Weighted Factor Scores 2620a 2620b 2620c 2620d 2620e 2620f 2620n Price 250 100 313 500 0 125 438 Display 250 250 0 0 500 0 250 Front webcam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2nd webcam 0 0 800 0 400 400 400 CPU power 640 800 800 160 160 480 0 User reviews 0 185 200 108 62 123 154 User preference score 1140 1335 2113 768 1122 1128 1241

The lossless query engine then ranks each of the decision options in the set of decision options using the user preference score. For example, the decision option receiving the greatest user preference score is ranked the highest. As illustrated in Table 3 below, the decision option 2620 c is ranked the highest because it receives the highest user preference score as illustrated in Table 2. Also, decision option 2620 d receives the lowest rank because it receives the lowest user preference score as illustrated in Table 2.

TABLE 3 Rank Decision Option(s) 1 Option 2620c 2 Option 2620b 3 Option 2620n 4 Option 2620a 7 Option 2620f 6 Option 2620e 7 Option 2620d

The lossless query engine then presents, via the GUI 2600, a ranked list of decision options 2620 a-n (e.g., tablet computers) to the user. In particular, the GUI 2600 presents the user with the full set (i.e., a lossless result set) of tablet computers 2620 a-n ordered by their rank as shown in Table 3.

The GUI 2600 can only present a number of decision options based on a display size of a user device (e.g., a smart phone, laptop, PDA, television, and wired/wireless transmit/receive unit (TRU)) that is interacting with the lossless query engine. In this example, a display (not shown) of the user device only enables the GUI 100 to present the user with the first four decision options in the ranked list of tablet computers (decision options) 2620. Thus, if the user wishes to view additional decision options in the ranked list, the user can select the “See More” icon 2625, which, in this example, is an arrow. However, it should be noted that any icon can be used, including scroll bars.

In an example, once the lossless query engine provides the user with a ranked list, the user may determine that the ranking of the decision options does not adequately represent the user's preference. In such a situation, the user can adjust the importance of one of the user preference indicators 2620 a-n. Also, the user can input an importance for a user preference indicator corresponding to a factor for which the user did not previously provide an importance input. In response to receiving the adjusted importance input or additional importance input, the lossless query engine re-ranks the set of decision options and reorders the set of decision options based on the new ranks of the decision options. The lossless query engine then provides the user, via the GUI 100, with the re-ranked list of the set of decision options. This process can repeat until a user makes a decision to purchase one of the decision options.

In contrast, faceted search tools utilize a faceted classification system to organize data associated with goods/services internet users are considering for purchase. The faceted classification system allows users to explore a collection of information by applying multiple filters. The faceted classification system classifies each information element along multiple explicit dimensions (i.e., facets), enabling the classifications to be accessed and ordered in multiple ways rather than in a single, predetermined, taxonomic order.

Faceted search (or faceted navigation), as widely implemented, has two main functions: filtering and sorting. The main characteristics of filtering are as follows. Faceted search is a filtering method to reduce a number of choices remaining in a set of decision options (e.g., goods/services). The user selects the range of values the user considers relevant in each dimension (e.g., facet). Decision options that fall within the indicated ranges are “filtered” from the total available set of decision options by the faceted search tool. The remaining set of decision options is provided to the user as the set of relevant options to the user's search. However, any option that falls outside of one or more of the user indicated ranges is excluded from the set of relevant options provided to the user by the faceted search tool, no matter how desirable that option might be on other dimensions. For instance, each dimension (e.g., facet) is considered independently. Thus, an option is eliminated from the set of relevant options if it falls outside the indicated range of one or more dimensions. Further, dimensions are often expressed as technical specifications of the decision options (e.g., megapixels of camera resolution).

Faceted sorting methods are generally uni-dimensional (e.g., the user can only sort a result set on price (high to low), brand (A-Z), or user rating (best to worst)). In some examples, the user can sort the set of relevant options using multiple dimensions applied in sequence, for example, the user can first sort on price (low to high), then sort on user rating (best to worst), and then sort on brand (A-Z).

Tables 4-7 below illustrate an example of faceted searching. Table 4 illustrates an set of decision options available for tablet computers. In particular, Table 4, includes decision options 2620 a-n of tablet computers. The table computers 2620 a-n have factors corresponding to price, display, front/back cameras, CPU power, and user reviews.

TABLE 4 Total available set of tablets User Front Back CPU re- Label Brand Price Display camera camera power views 2620a Alpha $400.00 6 inch 2 MPix 1 MPix 7 3.5 2620b Beta $520.00 6 2 1 8 4.7 2620c Gamma $350.00 5 1 3 8 4.8 2620d Delta $200.00 5 2 1 4 4.2 2620e Rho $600.00 7 2 2 4 3.9 2620f Sigma $500.00 5 2 2 6 4.3 2620n Omega $250.00 6 1 2 3 4.5

In an example of a faceted search, a user may indicate that the user is interested in tablets with a display size of 6 inches or larger by selected a display facet of “6+ inches.” In response to selecting the display facet of “6+ inches,” the faceted search tool provides a result set of tablet computers corresponding to Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Tablets Front Back User Label Brand Price Display camera camera CPU reviews 2620a Alpha $400.00 6 2 1 7 3.5 2620b Beta $520.00 6 2 1 8 4.7

4

2620e Rho $600.00 7 2 2 4 3.9

2620n Omega $250.00 6 1 2 3 4.5

The user can then select a sorting function of the faceted search tool to sort the result set. Typically, the sorting functions offered are a fixed set of sorting options available via a drop-down menu. For example, as illustrated in Table 6 below, a sort of the tablets produced in Table 5 by price (low-high), results in tablet 2620 n as a top choice. However, the tablet 2620 n may not correspond to any preference associated with the user of the faceted search tool.

TABLE 6 Tablets Front Back User Label Brand Price Display camera camera CPU reviews 2620n Omega $250.00 6 1 2 3 4.5 2620a Alpha $400.00 6 2 1 7 3.5 2620b Beta $520.00 6 2 1 8 4.7 2620e Rho $600.00 7 2 2 4 3.9

The user can also sort the set of relevant decision options using other sorting options (e.g., user reviews (best to worst), as illustrated in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Tablets Front Back User Label Brand Price Display camera camera CPU reviews 2620b Beta $520.00 6 2 1 8 4.7 2620n Omega $250.00 6 1 2 3 4.5 2620e Rho $600.00 7 2 2 4 3.9 2620a Alpha $400.00 6 2 1 7 3.5

As can be seen from Tables 4-7, faceted search tools have several shortcomings. In particular, faceted search tools treat dimensions independently. Thus, a decision option is eliminated from the set of relevant decision options if the decision option falls outside a desired range of any one dimension. However, in some situations, such a decision option may still be very desirable to the user. Also, faceted search tools require users to be familiar with the meanings and implications of technical specifications used in the ranges of each dimension (e.g., is 13.0-14.9 megapixels a significantly different choice than 15.0-15.9 megapixels?). Further, faceted search tools only allow uni-dimensional sorting. For instance, a set of relevant options can only be sorted on any one dimension at a time, even if sequential sorting is offered by a faceted search tool. For example, in a sequential sorting, a user can first sort tablet computers by brand and then sort the price sorted list by price. However, each sort is independent from each other. In the example described, the faceted search tool provides a result set that is ordered based on brand and then ordered by price. In particular, a result set is provided that includes all Alpha tablets ordered based on price, followed by Beta tablets ordered based on price, and so on.

In addition, sorting is limited to a set of sorting options provided by the faceted search tool. In particular, users can only sort results sets provided by the faceted search tool if the faceted search tool includes a mechanism by which the user is able to sort the result set. For example, a mechanism employed by a faceted search tool can be a drop down menu that includes at least one sorting option. In contrast, lossless query ranks the set of decision options simultaneously on a plurality of factors. In particular, the lossless query uses user preference values corresponding to the plurality of factors in order to rank the decision options.

As stated herein, embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the problems of faceted search tools. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure do not eliminate decision option from a result set for consideration by the user. For instance, the embodiments of the present disclosure evaluate all decision options across an entire set of dimensions using user preference indicators as described herein). In an example, the embodiments ranks the available options based on the user's preference as expressed by the user's choice of relevant dimensions and the user's indication of the importance of each dimension relative to the others dimensions. Such ranking allows the user to easily evaluate the implications of tradeoffs between each dimension.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of a user preference indicator interface 2700 utilized by a lossless query engine (e.g., the lossless query engine 2800 of FIG. 28). The user preference indicator interface 2700 includes user preference indicators 2715. Each of the user preference indicators 2715 corresponds to a respective factor 105. The user preference indicators 2715 enable a user to input an importance (e.g., user preference value 2720) for each of the factors 2705 to the user when making a decision to purchase, for example, a tablet computer. In this example embodiment, the user preference indicators 2715 are sliders. For example, if a factor is not important to a user, the user can slide the slider to the left-most position. If a factor is extremely important, the user can slide the slider to the right-most position. The user can also slide the slider to any position in between the left-most position and the right-most position. Users can remove or add factors and their associated preference sliders as they wish, thereby choosing the set of factors that are relevant to their individual needs and preferences. For example, users can remove factors using selectable checkboxes 2717 corresponding to a set of factors currently being utilized in a user's decision process to select/purchase a tablet computer. Also, users can add factors for consideration in the user's decision process by selecting selectable icons 2718. It should be noted that although three additional factors are illustrated any number of factors can exist for a user to add for consideration in the user's decision process.

It should be noted, that the user preference indicators 2715 can be in any form that enables a user to provide an indication of an importance of a factor (e.g., relative user importance) in the user's decision to purchase a tablet computer. For example, the user preference indicators 2715 can be a rotary dial or other display feature (e.g., icon, sensory feature). In one example, the user preference indicators 2715 can be a range of values from, for example, 1-10. In another example, the user preference indicators 2715 can be a rating scale (i.e., a star rating scale that has a range of, for example, 1-5 stars).

As described herein, the lossless query engine uses ranks a set of decision options based on a mathematical function of normalized factor values and the user preference values 2720. The normalized values can be calculated as described above in reference to FIG. 26. Unlike faceted search tools, the lossless query engine provides a full result set based on the ranking as illustrated below in Table 8. Thus, all the decisions options 2620 a-n are presented to the user in a ranked order corresponding to the user's indicated preferences.

TABLE 8 Tablet choices Weighted Label score 2620c 2,113 2620b 1,335 2620n 1,241 2620a 1,140 2620f 1,128 2620e 1,122 2620d 768

The lossless query engine does not reduce the data set of decision options (e.g., tablet computers) provided to the user. Rather, the lossless query engine provides the user, via a GUI (e.g., GUI 2600 of FIG. 26), with an ordered ranking of the data set of decision options based on a relative user importance of each of the factors 2705. The ordering of the displayed data set is always from a best ranking to a worst ranking such that any adjustment to relative user importance by a user is immediately reflected in a new displayed and ranked data set result.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a lossless query engine 2800 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The lossless query engine 2800 includes an interface 2810, memory 2820, normalizing module 2830, factorization module 2840, user preference module 2850, and ranking module 2860.

The memory 2820 is configured to store a set of decision options that correspond to at least one category of goods/services. For example, the memory 2820 can store data associated with different tablet computers, one of which a user may wish to purchase. The factorization module 2840 accesses the memory 2820 and determines a plurality of factors for each decision options (e.g., tablet computer) of the set of decision options. The factors may be utilized by a user to make a decision to purchase one of the tablet computers. The normalizing module 2860 then normalizes values of the factors. The normalizing module 2860 can utilize any method known in the art to normalize the values of the factors.

A user may interact with the lossless query engine 2800 via the interface 2810 (e.g., the GUI 2600 of FIG. 26). In particular, the interface 2810 is configured to receive a plurality of user preference indicators (e.g., user preference indicators 120 a-n of FIG. 26), where each user preference indicator corresponds to respective factor of the determined plurality of factors. In an example, the user preference indicators can be a value associated with an importance of the respective factor in the user's overall decision to purchase at least one of the tablet computers from the set of tablet computers.

In response to receiving the user preference scores, the user preference module 2850 calculates a user preference score for each decision options. In particular, the user preference module 2850 calculates a weighted score for each of the factors. For instance, the weighted score can be a mathematical function of the normalized values of each of the factors and the user's input of importance for each of the user preference indicators. In one example, the weighted score can be a multiplication of the normalized values and the user's input of importance.

The user preference module 2850 then calculates a user preference score for each of the decision options in the set of decision options (e.g., tablet computers). For example, the user preference module 2850 sums the weighted scores for each factor of a corresponding decision option to obtain the user preference score. The ranking module 2860 then ranks each of the decision options in the set of decision options using the user preference score. The lossless query engine 2800 then presents, via the interface 2810, a ranked list of decision options (e.g., tablet computers) to the user.

In an example, once the lossless query engine 2800 provides the user with the ranked list, the user may determine that the ranking of the decision options does not adequately reflect the user's preference of tablet computers. In such a situation, the user can adjust an importance of one of the user preference indicators. Also, the user can input an importance for a user preference indicator corresponding to a factor for which the user did not previously provide and importance input. In response to receiving the adjusted importance input or additional importance input, the ranking module 2860 re-ranks the set of decision options and reorders the set of decision options based on the new ranks of the decision options. This process can repeat until a user makes a decision to purchase one of the decision options.

FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of a method 2900 for comparing decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 2905, the method begins. Memory (e.g., memory 2820), at 2910, stores a set of decision options, where the decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services. At 2915, a factorization module (e.g., factorization module 2840) determines, for each decision option of the set of decision options, a plurality of factors, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective metric. Each of the factors can be utilized by a user to make a decision to purchase/select at least one decision option from the set of decision options. An interface (e.g., interface 2810 of FIG. 28), at 2920, receives a plurality of user preference indicators, where each user preference indicator corresponds to a respective factor of the plurality of factors. At 2925, a ranking module (e.g., ranking module 2860 of FIG. 28) ranks the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator. At 2930, the interface provides the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator. The ranking module, at 2935, reranks the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator and, at 2940, the interface provides the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator. At 2945, the method 2900 ends.

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of another method 3000 for comparing decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 3005, the method begins. At 3010, the method 3000 includes normalizing values of each of the factors. The method 3000, at 3015, includes calculating a weighted score for each factor of the plurality of factors using the user preference indicators. At 3020, the method 3000 includes calculating a user preference score for each decision option. The method 3000, at 3025, includes ranking the set of decision options based on the calculated user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options. Then, at 3030, the method 3000 includes calculating a revised user preference score for each of the decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator. At 3035, the method 3000 includes reordering the set of decision options based on the revised user preference score. At 3040, the method 3000 ends.

FIG. 31 is a flow diagram of a method 3100 for normalizing values of factors corresponding to a set of decision options in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 3105, the method begins. At 3110, the method 3100 includes determining a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors. The method 3100, at 3115, includes determining a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors. The, at 3120, the method 3100 includes apply a scaling transform using the determined minimum and maximum values to generate normalized values for each factor. At 3125, the method 3100 ends.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of a lossless query processor 3200 that employs a lossless query engine 3212 (e.g., the lossless query engine 2800 of FIG. 28) that can be used in connection with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lossless query processor 3200 includes a memory 3210 coupled to processor(s) 3220 via a memory bus 3215, and a storage device 3230 and an interface 3240 coupled to the processor 3220 via an input/output (I/O) bus 3225. It should be noted that the lossless query processor 3200 may include other devices, such as keyboards, display units and the like. The interface 3240 interfaces the lossless query processor 3200 to a user device (e.g., PDA, smart phone, laptop, and wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)) and enables data (e.g., packets) to be transferred between the lossless query processor 3200 and the user device. The network interface 3240 may include conventional circuitry that incorporates signal, electrical and mechanical characteristics, and interchange circuits to interface with physical media of the user device and protocols running over that media. The storage device 3230 is a conventional storage device (e.g., a disk) capable of storing, inter alia, decision options, factors, user preference indicators, rankings, and user importance values.

The memory 3210 is an example computer-readable medium, optionally implemented as a RAM employing RAM devices, such as DRAM devices and/or flash memory devices. The memory 3210 contains various software and data structures used by processor(s) 3220, such as software and data structures used by the processor(s) 3220, such as software and data structures that implement aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, the memory 3210 may store software configured to serve as an operating system 3213 or provide a lossless query engine 3212. The operating system 3213 can be used to functionally organize the lossless query processor 3200 by invoking operations in support of processes and services executing on the lossless query processor 3200, such as the lossless query engine 3212. The lossless query engine 3212, as described herein, can include non-transitory computer-executable instructions for comparing decision options.

The storage device 3230 may include a database 3235, which may be implemented in the form of a data structure that is configured to hold various information used for comparing decision options, such as decision options, factors, user preference indicators, rankings, and user importance values.

FIG. 33 is a method 3200 of using a lossless query engine (e.g., the lossless query engine 2800 of FIG. 28). At 3305, the method begins. At 3310, a user accesses a website of a vendor selling/providing goods/services. Goods/services can be, for example, financial instruments (e.g., mutual funds, annuities), consumer goods, legal services, vacation packages, vehicles, and real estate (e.g., home purchases, apartment rentals). The user, at 3315, receives a GUI (e.g., GUI 2600 of FIG. 26) for comparing the goods/services. The GUI includes factors 2605 a-n (e.g., attributes/metrics), for example, factors corresponding to the goods/service. For example, the factors (e.g., factors 2605 a-n of FIG. 26) correspond to price, display size, front webcam resolution, second webcam resolution, and CPU type for tablet computers. A user considers each of the factors when making a decision to purchase/select the goods/services. In addition, the GUI includes user preference indicators (e.g., the user preference indicators 2615 a-n of FIG. 26). Each of the user preference indicators corresponds to a respective factor. The user preference indicators allow a user to input an importance of each of the factors to the user when making a decision to purchase/select a good/service.

At, 3320 the user enters a user preference indicator for one of the factors. In response to entering the user preference indicator, at 3325, the user receives a ranked list of goods/services provided by the vendor. The user, at 3330-3335, makes a decision to enter another user preference indicator for another factor and/or revise a previously entered user preference indicator. If the user makes an affirmative decision, the user, at 3325, receives a ranked list of goods/services. If the user makes a negative decision, the user then, at 3340, makes a decision whether or not to purchase/select at least one of the goods/services in the ranked list. At 3345, the method 32800 ends.

Embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein can be implemented to improve search results of search engines using typical faceted search tools.

In one example, the embodiments can be utilized to improve a real estate shopping faceted search tool by not reducing a data set provided to a user. In the example, the user may be searching for a home in a specific school district. In addition, the user may apply additional criteria such as price, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. If the user uses a typical real estate shopping faceted search tool, the faceted search tool does not present homes that are outside a regional boundary of the desired school district even if those homes match the additional criteria applied by the user. In fact, the faceted search tool omits all homes from a search results list that are not in the user's desired school district.

In another example, embodiments of the present disclosure do not provide a user with a result set that includes a “No Match” scenario. Referring to the real estate faceted search tool example described above, if a user selects a specific range of home prices within a certain school district, a typical faceted search tool may result a “No Match” result set. For example, the typical faceted search tool with return a “No Match” result set if the user selects a price range of $400 k-$500 k in a school district that only has homes in a price range of $750 k+.

Further, in the faceted search tools described above, the only user data remaining is a record of the facets selected by the user. For example, if a user selects a subset of the possible facets available for purchasing a home, the faceted search tool with provide a result set of homes only associated with those facets. In addition, the page displayed only displays the facets selected by the user.

In contrast, the embodiments of the present disclosure include a lossless query engine that does not omit any homes from a search result. The lossless query engine penalizes a home for being outside the user's desired school district by way of a user preference score. The lossless query engine then ranks the home relative to other homes based on assigned user preference scores. Those homes of a data set of homes that are outside the user's school district may still receive a high ranking if they match the additional criteria applied by the user.

Using the lossless query engine, the user is then able to make a fully informed decision when purchasing a home because the user is able to compare all homes in a data set of homes. The lossless query enables the user to make such a full comparison of home because the lossless query engine, while not reducing the data set of homes, always display an ordered ranking of that data set based on the all factors selected and the relative user importance of each factor. The ordering of the displayed data set can be from best to worst fit such that any adjustment to factor importance by a user is immediately reflected in a new displayed and ranked data set result.

Further example embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured using a computer program product; for example, controls may be programmed in software for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. Further example embodiments of the present disclosure may include a non-transitory computer readable medium containing instruction that may be executed by a processor, and, when executed, cause the processor to complete methods described herein. It should be understood that elements of the block and flow diagrams described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or other similar implementation determined in the future. In addition, the elements of the block and flow diagrams described herein may be combined or divided in any manner in software, hardware, or firmware. If implemented in software, the software may be written in any language that can support the example embodiments disclosed herein. The software may be stored in any form of computer readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), and so forth. In operation, a general purpose or application specific processor loads and executes software in a manner well understood in the art. It should be understood further that the block and flow diagrams may include more or fewer elements, be arranged or oriented differently, or be represented differently. It should be understood that implementation may dictate the block, flow, and/or network diagrams and the number of block and flow diagrams illustrating the execution of embodiments of the disclosure.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for comparing decision options, the method comprising: presenting to a user, via the one or more processors, a plurality of factors for a set of decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective attribute of the set of decision options, the respective attribute corresponding to at least one of: a physical attribute, a financial attribute, and a service attribute; receiving, via the one or more processors, a user preference value indicator for at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the user preference value indicator providing an importance metric corresponding to the at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the importance metric providing a weight the user places on the at least one factor, independent of other factors, when determining whether to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options; normalizing attribute values of each of the plurality of factors; calculating a user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options as a function of the user preference value indicator and the normalized attribute value for each factor of each decision option of the set of decision options; ranking, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator, wherein the rank of a subject decision option is based on the calculated user preference score for the subject decision option relative to each decision option of the set of decision options; providing the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator; reranking, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator; and providing the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of user preference indicators is a value associated with an importance of the respective factor in the user's overall decision to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein normalizing the values of each of the plurality of factors: determining a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors; determining a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors; and applying a scaling transform using the determined minimum and maximum values to generate the normalized values for each of plurality of factors.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein reranking the set of decision options includes: calculating a revised user preference score for each of the decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator; and reordering the set of decision options based on the revised user preference score.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein ranking the set of decision options includes: calculating a weighted score for each factor of the plurality of factors using the user preference indicators; and calculating a user preference score for each of the decision options, wherein the user preference score is a sum of the weighted score for each factor of the corresponding decision options.
 6. An apparatus configured to compare decision options, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; a factorization module configured to present to a user, via one or more processors, a plurality of factors for a set of decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective attribute of the set of decision options, the respective attribute corresponding to at least one of: a physical attribute, a financial attribute, and a service attribute; an interface configured to receive, via the one or more processors, a user preference value indicator for at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the user preference value indicator providing an importance metric corresponding to the at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the importance metric providing a weight the user places on the at least one factor, independent of other factors, when determining whether to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options; a normalizing module configured to normalize attribute values of each of the plurality of factors; a user preference module configured to calculate a user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options as a function of the user preference value indicator and the normalized attribute value for each factor of each decision option of the set of decision options; a ranking module configured to rank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator, wherein the rank of a subject decision option is based on the calculated user preference score for the subject decision option relative to each decision option of the set of decision options; the interface further configured to provide the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator; the ranking module further configured to rerank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator; and the interface further configured to provide the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least one of the plurality of user preference indicators is a value associated with an importance of the respective factor in the user's overall decision to select the at least one decision option from the set of decision options.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the normalizing module is further configured to: determine a minimum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors; determine a maximum value of the values of each of the plurality of factors; and apply a scaling transform using the determined minimum and maximum values to generate the normalized values for each of the plurality of factors.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the user preference module is further configured to calculate a revised user preference score for each of the decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator and wherein the ranking module is further configured to reorder the set of decision options based on the revised user preference score.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the user preference module is further configured to calculate a weighted score for each factor of the plurality of factors using the user preference indicators and calculate a user preference score for each of the decision options, wherein the user preference score is a sum of the weighted score for each factor of the corresponding decision options.
 11. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable program codes embodied thereon for comparing decision options, the computer readable program codes including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: present to a user, via the one or more processors, a plurality of factors for a set of decision options corresponding to at least one category of goods/services, wherein each of the plurality of factors defines a respective attribute of the set of decision options, the respective attribute corresponding to at least one of: a physical attribute, a financial attribute, and a service attribute; receive, via the one or more processors, a user preference value indicator for at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the user preference value indicator providing an importance metric corresponding to the at least one factor of the plurality of factors, the importance metric providing a weight the user places on the at least one factor, independent of other factors, when determining whether to select at least one decision option from the set of decision options; normalize attribute values of each of the plurality of factors; calculate a user preference score for each decision option of the set of decision options as a function of the user preference value indicator and the normalized attribute value for each factor of each decision option of the set of decision options; rank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a first user preference indicator, wherein the rank of a subject decision option is based on the calculated user preference score for the subject decision option relative to each decision option of the set of decision options; provide the user with a ranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the first user preference indicator; rerank, via the one or more processors, the set of decision options in response to receiving a second user preference indicator; and provide the user with a reranked list of the set of decision options in response to receiving the second user preference indicator. 